Carmageddon - 405 freeway, Mulholland bridge, freeway closure, freeway shutdown, gridlock

[sce56]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0712-lopez-4oh5-20110711,0,7959536.column
Escaping the 405 mess on flights of fancy
Burro pack teams and and hot air balloons are some of the solutions we'd like to see.


Hot air balloons, blimps and human catapults will go into service beginning promptly at 6 a.m. Saturday to transport people over the Sepulveda Pass during the closure of the 405. Reservations can be made online, and all major credit cards will be accepted. Afraid of flying? Not to worry. Burro pack teams will embark from stations on both Ventura and Sunset boulevards, with discounts for those who travel two per donkey.

Meanwhile, crisis counseling centers will be established by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, with psychologists, personal transit planners and life coaches on hand. The staff will help travelers come to grips with the trauma of breaking routine, as well as helping them plan activities that don't require use of the 405. We anticipate a number of people suffering from disorientation, rage and general anxiety," said an LADOT spokesman. "This disruption can be survived if people pull together and, as needed, take advantage of the professional help we'll be offering." Crisis counseling will be offered at the Warner Center Park on Topanga Canyon in Woodland Hills; Galpin Jaguar on Roscoe Boulevard, east of the 405; the John Wooden Center at UCLA; and the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society of North Hollywood (where members will be encouraged to escape traffic problems by time traveling to a different weekend).

For those who absolutely must get quickly from the Valley to the Westside during the 405 closure, L.A. Department of Transportation chief Jaime de la Vega has volunteered to bring his Hummer out of retirement to assist travelers who don't mind traversing coyote trails. De la Vega plans to give preference to those with large cargo needs. Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, has announced weekend service from Bob Hope Airport to LAX, with departures every four minutes. Flight time will be 48 seconds, and there will be no drink service on the route.

And I'm supposed to drive through there the first night!

[Tabasco_Dave]

1. I moved out of LA 16 years ago.

I miss a lot of things but the 405 isn't one of them.

[sce56]

2. I hear you I have moved out several times I'm close but not there now!

[barbtries]

3. i used to write bumper stickers

one of my favorites: i brake for the 405

i don't see it being much different on the 16th or 17th. people probably won't even notice.
i've been living in NC for almost 4 years and like you, the 405 is something i do not miss no matter how homesick i may be.

[barbtries]

4. those are good.

it is going to be hell. or not. maybe people will stay home for a change and it will be heaven on the 405 for a brief shining moment.