Los Angeles prepares for ‘Carmageddon’ II
A road closure extended until early Monday morning has Los Angeles in a sort of confusion as to whether or not to expect hell or heaven in terms of traffic conditions. City officials claim heavy traffic conditions as the 10-mile freeway, Interstate 405, is being constructed to add more carpool lanes.
City officials have coined this sort of weekend “Carmageddon II.” People agree that during this time it is extremely difficult to use any sort of transportation, but especially cars. According to The New York Times, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa previously coined the termed “Carmaheaven,” trying to urge people to “stay local; walk in your neighborhood; go to your local restaurant; shop locally; get on Metrolink; or Metro Rail; or a bus, but don’t get in your car.”
At the start of early Friday morning, “Carmageddon II,” traffic seemed to be easy and people are listening and using other modes of transportation or staying local, according to city officials. Media and news teams with helicopters are being used to take pictures of the 405 in order to help people commute efficiently.
This time around, according to CBS Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Dave Sotero told local KCBS-TV that a fine will be issued if the work is not finished on time. “The penalty is $6,000 per lane of freeway, per 10 minutes. Let’s assume the entire freeway isn’t reopened, that’s $60,000 every 10 minutes,” said Sotero.
The 405 contains at least 250,000 motorists each day on an average weekend.
