Carmageddon in LA: city avoids traffic chaos despite closure of freeway

Scare tactics keep Angelenos away and pollution at bay for LA’s biggest ever roadworks It was supposed to be the world’s biggest traffic jam, the weekend that bumper-to-bumper gridlock would finally eat up Los Angeles. In the end, though, what was called Carmageddon looked less like a Hollywood disaster movie and more like the Rapture, the moment of resurrection when Christian believers are “caught up” to heaven, leaving empty space and eerie silence for sinners left behind. In short, the scare tactics worked. Having been told for weeks that the closure of one of America’s busiest stretch of freeway would throw the city into chaos, Angelenos stayed home, skipped town, hopped on their bikes, or took the bus. Aside from one snarl-up near the LA Coliseum, where Real Madrid were playing against David Beckham’s old team, the LA Galaxy, the city was a breeze. With traffic way down, the California summer light was delightfully smog-free. The beaches, usually packed on the weekend, were left to local joggers and children and dogs. “It’s dead as a doornail out there,” said a delighted Zev Yaroslavsky, the LA county supervisor credited with coining the term Carmageddon. Weeks ago, he and other city officials began issuing alerts about the consequences of closing a 10-mile stretch of the San Diego freeway for the weekend so road workers could demolish a bridge. A city hooked on earthquake, fire, flood and landslide disaster scenarios was duly impressed. But the warning did have the effect of promoting the attractions of public transport, neighbourhood block parties and exercise. A budget airline, JetBlue, offered a $4 flight across the city from Burbank to Long Beach, while a group of cyclists known as the Wolfpack Hustle instantly challenged the airline, saying they do the same trip faster. And did. Shopping revenue was down, but nobody seemed to mind. And Sarah McLachlan still managed to pack the outdoor Hollywood Bowl for a two-night engagement with a full symphony orchestra, even if many tickets were purchased at the last minute with a steep discount. Road transport United States Andrew Gumbel guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 17, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.