LOS ANGELES – The Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass provided a morning traffic update at the City’s traffic control center following the I-10 freeway’s safe reopening. As directed by the Mayor, the briefing provided Angelenos with up-to-date information and traffic guidance now that the I-10 freeway is safe to drive on. Watch the livestream here. No additional 6:00 AM briefings are currently planned for this week.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday announced the I-10 freeway would safely reopen before Monday morning rush hour traffic due to urgent action and collaboration taken over the past week.
This announcement follows Mayor Bass’ urgent, continuous efforts to expedite the repair and alleviate the traffic impacts of the closure on communities and commuters. Mayor Bass assured Angelenos that City departments will continue to respond with urgency to the impacts of the traffic closure during the ongoing construction.
The Mayor’s Office announced the following updated guidance this morning to alleviate traffic impacts on commuters and communities now that the I-10 Freeway has reopened:
The Alameda exit will remain closed in the westbound direction, as well as the 8th Street on-ramp to the 10-West.
Traffic officers and engineers continue to staff the area to ensure smooth traffic flow and LADOT installed a protected left turn lane at Alameda and Olympic to reduce congestion at the intersection.
Angelenos should visit emergency.lacity.gov for continuous up-to-date information.
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The time it took to repair the freeway exceeded the initial estimate because of the collective effort of the city, state and federal government. The City worked diligently from the moment the fire started. That night, more than 100 LAFD firefighters ran towards the danger and worked diligently to put out the fire with 0 injuries.
Working with urgency, Mayor Bass directed the Emergency Management Department to issue a wireless emergency alert to ensure Angelenos were aware of the closure – a decision that has been credited for avoiding what could have been mass confusion and gridlock to begin the week.
First thing Monday morning, the Mayor’s Business and Economic Development Office and her Office of Community Engagement responded to the scene to survey neighbors and businesses in the area. Her Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions responded to bring unhoused Angelenos in the area inside, rather than continue old practices of just moving folks down the street while work commenced.
Throughout the week, the Mayor implored Angelenos to take Metro – while she and members of her staff did as well. Mayor Bass surveyed traffic from the air with Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley to see both the morning and evening rush hour traffic.
Governor Newsom and Caltrans District 7 worked with the urgency required to manage this crisis, working 24/7 to fix the freeway. The Federal government worked hand in hand with local and state leaders, including by providing millions in “quick release” emergency funding to offset initial costs.
Throughout it all, the Mayor directed the Los Angeles City Department of Transportation to take active steps to mitigate traffic especially as rain approached:
Deployed additional white glove traffic officers
Made street adjustments to traffic corridors, including adding a protected left turn lane on Alameda Street.
Made public transportation routes along the 10 faster
Made LADOT busses free
On Friday, Mayor Bass stood alongside Downtown business owners and leaders and announced that the following support and resources are being made available for businesses impacted by the 10 closure:
The Mayor directed the Economic Workforce and Development Department to launch a micro-enterprise grant program. Applications remain open until midnight on December 10.
The City’s Business Source Centers are assessing and surveying businesses in the immediately impacted area to provide resources and support.
The establishment of a proactive Local Business Assistance Resource Center that will open in the nearby area to serve as a one-stop shop for resources and support to businesses impacted by the I-10 freeway. It will be open today and tomorrow from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM at Young’s Market Company
Mayor Bass and her office took urgent, continuous efforts to expedite the repair and alleviate the traffic impacts of the closure on communities and commuters alongside state and local leaders – and that shows on Monday morning, just days before Thanksgiving.