LOS ANGELES — In response to Governor Newsom’s morning announcement regarding the reopening, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) officially reopened Interstate 10 at 6:30 p.m. on November 19, significantly earlier than the initially projected timeline for repairs.
The traffic is now smoothly flowing on all five lanes in both directions between Alameda Street and the East Los Angeles interchange. This reopening precedes tomorrow morning’s commute and comes ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, minimizing the disruption for Los Angeles commuters.
One of the initial surges of traffic moving above the repaired section
GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S REMARKS: “What started as a matter of months has now been condensed into days. Before Angelenos hit the roads on Monday, we are reopening the 10. This accomplishment is attributed to the tireless efforts of Caltrans, union construction crews, and collaboration with our partners, from the Mayor’s office to the White House. The expedited repair of the 10 stands as proof and a source of pride that in California, we deliver.”
Earlier today, Governor Newsom, Vice President Harris, Senator Padilla, Mayor Bass, and other federal, state, and local officials expressed gratitude to Caltrans workers.
The announcement, made just eight days after the fire, significantly outpaces the original project schedule. This achievement was made possible by the continuous efforts of on-site crews and engineers, better-than-expected structural testing results, swift debris removal, and close coordination between state, local, and federal government officials to rapidly and safely expedite repairs to a crucial freeway that plays a pivotal role in the American and global economy.
As repairs progress in the coming months, the public should anticipate occasional temporary closures on weekends and overnight, along with intermittent lane closures.
The 10 Freeway fire originated on a site leased by Apex Development, Inc. (Apex). Two months before the fire, Caltrans initiated legal action against Apex, seeking eviction due to non-payment of rent and unauthorized subletting. A hearing for this lawsuit is scheduled for early 2024. Apex, responsible for maintaining the fenced-off site, continued to assert rights under the lease. CAL FIRE’s ongoing investigation into the suspected arson indicates a person of interest, and the public is encouraged to provide leads or tips anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or [email protected].
Last weekend, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to support the state’s response. This proclamation facilitates cleanup and repair work and directs Caltrans to seek assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which the state has secured.
The 10 Freeway serves hundreds of thousands of Angelenos daily as a major artery. Following sample testing and damage assessment, state transportation officials determined that the damage could be repaired without demolishing and rebuilding the 450-foot span of the freeway, which could have taken over six months. Union crews continue their round-the-clock efforts to reopen the freeway by tomorrow morning. While I-10 is closed to all vehicles, Caltrans workers are utilizing this traffic-free opportunity to conduct a comprehensive “swarm” maintenance operation, addressing tasks such as sweeping, repairing bridge railings and broken concrete, painting over graffiti, cleaning drains and culverts, removing litter, weeds, and overgrown vegetation, and sealing broken access doors.
