LOS ANGELES — Arson was determined to be the cause of a massive fire that occurred over the weekend, resulting in the indefinite closure of a crucial section of a major Los Angeles freeway, causing significant traffic disruptions for hundreds of thousands of commuters, according to California authorities. Governor Gavin Newsom stated that investigators are looking into the possibility of multiple individuals being involved in the incident but did not provide further details. “I want to emphasize that we have identified the cause of the fire,” Newsom told reporters on Monday.
The fire broke out on Saturday in two storage lots located beneath an elevated section of Interstate 10. The blaze quickly spread, consuming pallets, vehicles, and other combustible materials. It caused extensive damage to the columns and guardrails of the freeway. In order to ensure the safety of workers clearing the debris, crews reinforced the most affected section. The extent of the structural damage caused by the fire to the freeway is still unknown. The I-10 freeway is a vital east-west route that runs through the heart of Los Angeles, connecting with other major freeways.
Monday marked the first weekday since the closure, and commuters had to navigate new freeway routes or surface street detours to bypass the closed section south of downtown. Laura Rubio-Cornejo, the general manager of the city Department of Transportation, stated that the results were both encouraging and a reminder of the significant challenges that lie ahead until the I-10 can be safely reopened. The Monday morning commute experienced congestion but did not result in gridlock, indicating that drivers heeded the warnings. However, the evening commute saw a much higher level of congestion, with a 14.7% increase in traffic volume on surface street detours. Traffic engineers adjusted signal patterns to accommodate the increased load.
Apart from causing major traffic disruptions, the closure of the freeway is expected to have far-reaching effects beyond the city. It may potentially impact the transportation of goods from the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle over half of the country’s imports. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concerns about the impact on downtown businesses and urged residents to avoid traveling to the affected area and work from home if possible. The closure is reminiscent of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which resulted in the collapse of sections of I-10. It took over two months to repair the freeway after the earthquake, which was considered a significantly fast response.
Governor Newsom stated that initial tests indicate that the freeway deck appears to be stronger than originally assessed. Samples of concrete and rebar were taken from the superstructure, decks, and columns on Monday to determine the extent of the damage and whether the freeway needs to be replaced or can be repaired. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt stated that resolving the situation will take time, and it is too early to determine whether it will take weeks or months.
The closure highlights the impact of such incidents on a city and the nation as a whole. Bhatt cited the fiery crash of a tractor-trailer in Philadelphia in June 2023, which caused the collapse of an elevated section of Interstate 95, as an example. The closure resulted in traffic congestion and had significant economic consequences for the area. The closure of a section of the I-10, which carries 300,000 vehicles daily, will have spillover effects on traffic and transportation.
The fire that caused the closure started in two storage lots beneath the freeway. It burned parked cars, wooden pallets, and support poles for power lines. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Sixteen homeless individuals who were living beneath the freeway were taken to shelters. The fire was extinguished by more than 160 firefighters after burning for three hours. Investigators have identified the origin of the fire and its cause but have not released specific details. They are currently interviewing witnesses, including homeless individuals and nearby business owners.
Storage yards beneath highways are common in California, with the revenue from leases going towards public transit. Governor Newsom stated that the practice will be reevaluated following this incident. Apex Development, Inc., the owner of the business that leased the storage property where the fire started, is currently in litigation with the state. Newsom revealed that the lease has expired, and the business had been in arrears while illegally subleasing the space to other entities.
Cleanup of the hazardous materials and reinforcement of the freeway will be carried out by two contractors, according to California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin. Repair work will require environmental waivers and federal funding. In 2011, a poorly maintained fuel tanker caused a fire that damaged a section of State Route 60, resulting in a six-month closure that cost $40 million to repair.
The closure of the freeway also raises concerns about the housing and safety of unhoused individuals residing near freeways and exits. The city and county of Los Angeles reached an agreement in 2020 to provide housing for nearly 7,000 people in these areas, recognizing the hazards they face.
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