A massive fire that broke out under a bridge has resulted in the indefinite closure of a portion of the 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. Transportation officials are urging commuters to plan for extra time or use public transit. The closure, between Alameda Street and the East LA interchange, is expected to have ripple effects on surface streets and other freeways in the area. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County due to the severity of the damage.
The closure of the mile-long stretch of the I-10 freeway will significantly impact traffic in the area. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is currently unable to provide an estimated timeline for reopening. The governor emphasized that the investigation into the cause of the fire, as well as the evaluation of hazmat and structural engineering concerns, is ongoing. The state has also been involved in litigation with the business leasing the storage property where the fire originated.
The fire, which was first reported in the early hours of Saturday morning, engulfed a pallet yard and multiple trailers. The heat from the flames was intense, causing concrete to fly off pillars and scorching cars stored under the freeway. Over 160 firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the fire. Fortunately, all homeless individuals living underneath the highway were safely evacuated to shelters.
California Secretary of Transportation, Toks Omishakin, acknowledged that storage yards under highways are common across the state and the country. Following the incident, the practice will be re-evaluated for safety measures. The investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing, and authorities have not found any immediate indications that the blaze began at the nearby homeless encampment.
The closure of the I-10 freeway will have significant implications for commuters and residents in downtown Los Angeles. The California Department of Transportation advises utilizing public transit, such as buses provided by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), to navigate the city. The closure is expected to impact surface streets and other major freeways, including State Route 60 and Interstate 5.
The situation remains fluid, and updates regarding the reopening of the affected portion of the I-10 freeway will be provided as more information becomes available.
