The Slow Jam ended early, as traffic resumed flowing between the Hollywood and Santa Ana freeways on U.S. 101 at 10 a.m., some four hours early Sunday.
With the last chunks of the Sixth Street Viaduct removed, and protective dirt carted off, Caltrans and city contractors reopened the vital link in the East Los Angeles Interchange. Northbound lanes, then southbound, were opened at 10 a.m.
The usual freeway closing hype appeared to have worked, as no interminable traffic jams developed during the 36 hours that the 101 Freeway was closed.
“Our detour plans worked well and the alternative routes were able to handle the additional traffic,” said Carrie Bowen, Director of Caltrans District 7. “We saw periodic delays of 10-20 minutes in some areas on Saturday afternoon. However by evening, most traffic was flowing at close to normal levels.”
Northbound traffic was diverted onto the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway, southbound traffic was funneled onto the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway. But because those freeways do not have connecting ramps in those directions, surface streets in the area bore the brunt of the traffic.
“I am grateful to our crews for all their hard work this weekend, and to the tens of thousands of Angeloes who helped make the freeway closure go even more smoothly than we expected,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “That one fast Slow Jam.”
“We are extremely grateful to the community for their patience throughout the weekend,” said Gary Lee Moore, the city engineer. “We know that a closure of this size and a major construction project is difficult for anyone in the area.”
–City News Service