The I-10 Freeway to Reopen Ahead of Schedule
The I-10 Freeway is expected to reopen five lanes by next Tuesday, just before Thanksgiving, which is weeks ahead of schedule, according to an announcement made by Governor Gavin Newsom.
"This is a great day for Los Angeles," said Mayor Karen Bass.
The unexpected news was revealed by Governor Newsom during a press conference on Thursday evening. The closure of the 10 Freeway was caused by a destructive storage yard fire. However, all five lanes in both directions of the major thoroughfare will be open by November 21 at the latest.
The closure of the freeway between Alameda Street and Santa Fe Avenue remains in effect in both directions. This closure also affects connectors to I-5 and the U.S. 101 and SR-60 freeways. Crews are working around the clock to repair the freeway in time for the reopening.
A new website has been created for commuters to stay updated on the repair progress. The website also features live cameras to track the ongoing repairs.
RELATED: "There was malice intent," massive fire under I-10 Freeway caused by arson, says Gov. Newsom
Officials have stated that approximately 300,000 commuters regularly use the 10 Freeway, making it one of the busiest freeway corridors in the country.
In a press conference on Monday, it was announced that thousands of people were notified about the closures and alternate routes through mobile alerts, the Nextdoor app, and an Instagram Live hosted by city leader Bass. It was also emphasized that traditional navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps will provide updated information on the closure.
According to Bass, the closure of the 10 Freeway will have a significant impact on people's lives and businesses, causing disruptions in various aspects such as commuting, child care plans, and the flow of goods and commerce. Bass expressed the need for a rebuilding plan and a timeline that sets a new model for speed.
Commuters were already warned to expect delays on Sunday, as the closure affects one of the main routes to and from downtown Los Angeles.
"It is all hands on deck for everybody in state government," said California State Transportation Secretary, Toks Omishakin, during the press conference. Omishakin mentioned that a team of structural engineers is currently assessing the area and conducting core samples of the bridge to determine its condition.
The state fire marshal's office completed its investigation into the fire on Sunday evening and granted Caltrans engineers full access to the site.
According to Omishakin, it is still too early to determine the cause of the fire.
During a press conference at 10 a.m., officials announced that President Joe Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg have both been briefed on the closure.
Shailen Bhatt, the federal highway administrator, emphasized the significant impact this closure will have on local, regional, and national stakeholders, particularly the ports of LA and Long Beach.
LA Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference late Sunday afternoon to provide additional information for Angelenos planning their morning commutes. She advised drivers to stay on the freeway and take alternative routes around downtown.
Furthermore, Bass urged businesses in the affected areas to consider implementing work-from-home arrangements for their employees to alleviate the expected traffic congestion.
Downtown Businesses Urged to Implement Work-From-Home Policies to Reduce Traffic
Published on September 15, 2021
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, downtown businesses are being encouraged to embrace work-from-home policies. The call comes from city officials who are grappling with the aftermath of a massive fire that caused significant damage to a freeway deck.
"We are also hoping for downtown businesses to join us and lean in on work-from-home policies to help alleviate traffic," said a city official.
The fire, which burned up to 100 columns underneath the freeway, has raised concerns about the structural integrity of the deck. While there is no timeline for reopening the freeway, recovery and repair efforts are already underway.
"I want to ensure Angelenos that we are working night and day to make the repairs necessary to restore the freeway," the city official added. "This is not going to be resolved in one or two days. ... As we are learning the extent of the damage, we will keep you informed. But we need to stay together."
The severity of the situation led California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a State of Emergency for the area. This declaration will provide the necessary funds and resources to expedite the handling of the crisis.
"We are mobilizing statewide efforts to address the aftermath of the fire," said Toks Omishakin, the California Secretary of Transportation.
California Governor Makes I-10 Challenge Top Priority
The governor of California has declared the challenge on the I-10 freeway as the number one priority. In order to address the issue, a 24-7 operation has been requested from all state agencies involved, including CalFire, Caltrans, and CHP. This all-hands-on-deck approach aims to tackle the problem effectively.
Caltrans has secured a $3 million emergency contract to bring in a contractor who will handle hazardous material testing and clearance, freeway and road closures, and potential restoration of the structure.
City officials have outlined a three-pronged approach to address the issue. Firstly, they will ensure that a plan is in place for commuters heading into the affected area. Secondly, they will work on reopening the road as quickly as possible, prioritizing safety. Lastly, they will provide regular updates to keep the public informed throughout the process.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho reassured the public that no schools were expected to be closed on Monday. He emphasized the importance of providing students with a sense of normalcy, including access to meals and enrichment activities.
Related: "It is safety first. It is speed second," says Newsom on reopening of I-10
Several schools in Los Angeles are expected to be significantly impacted by traffic as students and staff arrive and leave school. These schools include:
- Para Los Niños Elementary School
- 9th Street/Para Los Niños Middle School
- 20th Street Elementary School
- 28th Street Elementary School
- Metropolitan Continuation High School
- Inner City Arts
- St. Turibius Catholic
According to Carvalho, the transportation director, over 40,000 students are transported daily, including those with disabilities and those attending magnet schools. It is expected that there will be delays impacting a significant number of students throughout the day and possibly for the next few weeks.
Families are encouraged to contact the district for more information on public transportation by calling 1-800-LA-BUSES (522-8737). Additional information can be found on the district's website.
Laura Rubio-Cornejo, the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, suggests that the best option for those traveling to and from the area is to use public transit. She specifically recommends utilizing the Metro rail system to completely avoid the impacted area. Commuter Express buses will also operate without fares until the end of the year.
Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro and chair of the Metro Board, suggests that if you're planning to travel in or around downtown LA, it's best to use public transit, especially Metro rail. If you're driving and your route takes you through downtown LA, it's recommended to stay on the freeway. There are alternative routes you can take, such as the 5, 101, and 110 freeways, to avoid the closure.
To plan your trip, you can visit Metro's website, which provides a detailed map of how to get to and from various locations. For real-time information, you can call (323) GO-METRO (466-3876).
Metrolink has expanded services on its San Bernardino Line, adding four weekday trains between L.A. and Covina. An additional train will provide roundtrip service between Union Station and Rancho Cucamonga in the evening.
For drivers using eastbound lanes, here are some advised detours:
- Exit the freeway at Alameda Street and 16th Street.
To get back to the I-10 if needed, you can:
- Head northbound on Alameda, eastbound on Olympic Boulevard, and re-enter on the approach to Lemon Street.
- Alternatively, head northbound on Alameda, eastbound on 7th Street, and enter the I-5 Freeway.
For drivers using westbound lanes, here's an advised detour:
- Travel west on Washington Boulevard, north on Central Avenue, and west again on 16th Street.
Detours will be conducted in the following areas:
- Starting at Alameda Street, drivers traveling eastbound on I-10 will be redirected to an alternate route.
- For those heading westbound on 60, the diversion will lead them to either northbound I-5 or northbound 101.
- Southbound on I-5, drivers will be diverted onto the westbound I-10, but they must take the first exit at Mateo Street.
- Northbound on I-5, drivers will need to divert to the northbound 101.
In addition, traffic officers will be stationed near affected schools from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to ensure smooth traffic flow as students are released from school.
