Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass were expected to provide an update Sunday on the closure of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles, one day after Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to help facilitate cleanup and repairs.
Newsom and Bass scheduled a media briefing for shortly before noon Sunday, and will be joined by other state and local officials.
The freeway remains closed in both directions between Alameda Street and Santa Fe Avenue after being damaged by a nearby pallet yard fire early Saturday, and officials have been urging motorists to avoid the area and plan for alternate routes.
The closure area includes connectors to Interstate 5 and the Pomona (60) Freeway.
Caltrans District 7 spokeswoman Lauren Wonder told City News Service on Saturday that the evaluation to determine what repairs are needed would have to wait until hot spots were put out in the pallet yard, and that hazardous materials specialists planned to go first to determine whether the pallets were coated with toxic substances and to identify contents of 55-gallon drums on the site.
Caltrans engineers will only be allowed to assess freeway damage after the site is safe, Wonder said.
“They will test the concrete to see if it rings rather than makes a thud sound,” she said. That is how the engineers will determine the integrity of the pillars and bridge deck.
Newsom’s order directs Caltrans to request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program.
“The state is mobilizing resources and taking steps to ensure any necessary repairs are completed as soon as possible to minimize the impact on those traveling in and around Los Angeles,” Newsom said. “The state will assess damage, remove hazardous waste and begin repairs as soon as the site can be accessed. Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
Bass visited the site late Saturday and noted that her staff was developing contingency plans to deal the potential impact the closure could have on traffic along what is typically one of the most congested freeways in the Los Angeles area.
“I have directed all city departments to immediately plan for how to address increased traffic due to this closure to best mitigate the impact on Angelenos and we will continue to urgently coordinate with our state partners to resolve this issue for not only the millions who use this freeway, but also for those who live and work in the surrounding areas.” Bass said. “We are approaching this issue with absolute urgency.”
The initial fire was reported at 12:22 a.m. Saturday in the 1700 block of East 14th Street, two blocks west of Alameda Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart.
Firefighters from 26 companies worked feverishly to contain and extinguish the major emergency fire, which started in one downtown pallet yard, spread to another and consumed a fire engine that became stuck in its path, Stewart said.
The first pallet yard was 40,000-square-feet and was fully involved with flames that engulfed multiple trailers when firefighters arrived. The flames spread to the second pallet yard of similar size between Lawrence and Elwood streets.
Stewart said that by 2:33 a.m. Saturday, pallets in both yards were mostly consumed by the flames and firefighters were using bulldozers to move debris and put out hot spots.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power assisted by boosting water pressure in the area for the high volume needed. The agency also dealt with a cross arm of energized high-tension wire that fell on 14th Street.
Firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading to three nearby commercial buildings, Stewart said. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.