Los Angeles freeway is fully reopened after arson fire, just in time for Monday morning’s rush hour

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The Los Angeles freeway, which had been closed for over a week due to an arson fire, has been fully reopened ahead of the Monday morning commute. This reopening occurred at least a day earlier than previously announced and several weeks ahead of the original estimate.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her excitement on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “Welcome back, Los Angeles!” The fire, which occurred on November 11, was fueled by flammable materials stored beneath the roadway in violation of a company’s lease agreement. This incident had forced the closure of a one-mile stretch of Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles, leading to significant traffic disruptions as repair crews worked tirelessly to address the damage.

Initially, officials had estimated that all lanes would reopen by Tuesday, but they were able to accelerate the timeline to reopen before Monday’s rush hour. Governor Gavin Newsom stated that recent safety inspections confirmed the span’s safety for reopening on Sunday evening, ensuring that the freeway would be “fully operational” in time for the Monday morning commute.

Governor Newsom emphasized that their priority was not just speed but also ensuring the safety of the freeway. This announcement was made during a news conference attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and Mayor Karen Bass.

It’s worth noting that while the freeway is now open, there will be periodic closures in the coming weeks or months as repairs continue. Approximately 300,000 vehicles per day use this critical east-west freeway that connects with other major highways in the heart of Los Angeles.

Senator Padilla estimated that the initial repairs, expected to be covered by federal funds, would cost approximately $3 million. Investigations also revealed prior fire and safety hazards under the leased storage space beneath the elevated freeway. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) released documents highlighting violations and problematic conditions in the leased area.

The investigation into the arson fire is ongoing, with authorities seeking a “person of interest” based on photos showing a man with injuries. While the exact cause of the fire has not been determined, it was fueled by various items stored under the freeway, including pallets, cars, construction materials, and hand sanitizer, raising concerns about the storage program’s safety.

Apex Development Inc., which had leased the land under Interstate 10 since 2008, faced allegations of violating the lease conditions by allowing the storage of flammable or hazardous materials. State officials filed a lawsuit against Apex for unpaid rent, with a hearing scheduled for next year.

The incident has prompted a reassessment of leasing land under roads to fund transportation projects. It has also drawn attention to the need for stricter oversight and safety measures in such lease agreements. While Apex Development has denied responsibility for the fire, investigations continue to determine the exact causes and liabilities related to this significant incident.

This development marks a significant step in restoring normalcy to Los Angeles’s transportation infrastructure, but ongoing repairs and investigations serve as a reminder of the importance of safety and compliance in infrastructure management.

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More about Los Angeles freeway arson fire

• Los Angeles Times – Arson Fire Closure
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office
• Apex Development Inc.