How to avoid 210 Freeway closure as second-coming of 'Carmageddon' hits LA
With major delays expected as a result of the five-day closure to the westbound 210 Freeway in Irwindale, Angelenos will be looking for any way to avoid what many are calling the second coming of Carmageddon.
"I'm trying to avoid the congestion during the traffic hour, which is right now," said cashier Tony Guzman. "There's nothing I can do but wait."
The closure started Wednesday evening at 11 p.m. and was slated to remain that way for the next 126 hours as Caltrans crews upgrade the San Gabriel River Bridge by installing improved bridge hinges and railings, all while strengthening bridge decks. The stretch of freeway was closed from Irwindale Avenue to the 605 Freeway connector.
The heavily trafficked freeway caused a series of detours through the area, including on the 210 Freeway itself, where traffic was directed from westbound lanes onto eastbound lanes. The usually six lanes for cars headed east was split to three lanes heading in opposite directions.
"Oh my gosh, it was awful," said Sandra Gomez, a florist whose flower shop in Duarte sits just west of the closure.
Gomez added that her customers expect their flower deliveries to be on time. And in a setting like a funeral, it is crucial to not be delayed by traffic.
"The families are there at certain times if we're late we have to go in front of them to deliver the flowers, which is very unprofessional," she added Thursday.
CBS 2 news writer Anna Hayes recorded her drive over the eastbound 210 Thursday morning, and was surprised to report that it only took a little over a minute and a half.
Caltrans officials advised that commuters avoid the road altogether, instead relying on two other heavily-trafficked options in the I-10 Freeway and State Route 60.
Additionally, Caltrans released a map showing other options for drivers, including surface streets in Baldwin Park and Irwindale.
They also advised the use of public transportation, including the Metro Gold Line or Metrolink, or to avoid the area entirely.
For those who did weather the traffic, they said it was on par with what they expected.
"It was not fun," said Ted Rubio. "It was a long delay. It was terrible."
"There's construction everywhere through Southern California, so, we just have to go with it," said Juan Reynoso, a truck driver heading through the area.
The closure was expected to end on July 26 at 5 a.m.
A second closure was planned for mid-August, when crews were set to conduct the same work on the eastbound lanes of I-210.
The San Gabriel River Bridge Hinge Replacement project is partially funded by Senate Bill 1, with an estimated $1.7 million of the $30 million project coming from allocated funds.