Traffic in West Hollywood is likely to be a mess today as many roads will be
Obama will be in town for two campaign fundraisers—one at on the Sunset Strip and the other at Fig & Olive restaurant on Melrose Place at La Cienega.
The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station has released the following list of street closures:
- Sunset Boulevard (from Doheny Drive to Sweetzer Avenue)
- Santa Monica Boulevard (from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard)
- Olive Drive (from Sunset Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard)
- Holloway Drive (front Sunset Boulevard to La Cienega Boulevard)
- La Cienega Boulevard (from Sunset Boulevard to Rosewood Avenue)
- Fountain Avenue (from La Cienega Boulevard to Sweetzer Avenue)
- Delongpre Avenue (from Fountain Avenue to Flores Street)
The exact times of these street closures are not known as the Secret Service is closely guarding information about Obama’s schedule.
City News Service reports that the president is scheduled to land at LAX at 4:40 p.m. Three Marine Corps helicopters, including two presidential Marine One style choppers, were spotted flying at treetop level Friday over downtown Santa Monica, leading to speculation that the president may transfer from helicopter to limousine on the far Westside.
If correct, his motorcade should then drive through Westwood and Beverly Hills to West Hollywood, avoiding the San Diego (405) Freeway during Monday evening’s rush hours.
Therefore, it seems safe to assume those Weho street closures will start mid-to-late afternoon and go into the evening.
San Vicente between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard will also be closed from Monday at 6 a.m. to Tuesday at noon. The sheriff’s station is located in that block, leading many to speculate that a command post will be set up there.
The city of West Hollywood is advising that some neighborhoods will have restricted access, but it doesn’t say which ones since it don’t know yet.
Officials are advising motorists to avoid the West Hollywood area as traffic on streets that remain open will be heavier. Drivers who must come to West Hollywood can expect significant delays.
The FAA is closing the airspace to most aircraft within a 30-mile radius of Santa Monica from Monday at 9:45 a.m. until Tuesday at 11 a.m., according to a notice to pilots posted this weekend.
City News Service also reports that street protests are planned by at least one group somewhere near the House of Blues. A group called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism said it will protest on Sunset Boulevard starting at 4 p.m. but it is not known where the Secret Service will locate its authorized demonstration area.
Tuesday morning, Obama is expected to travel through Beverly Hills and Westwood on his way back to LAX. More street closures in the area are expected, but the exact route remains unknown.
In preparation for Obama’s visit, West Hollywood will be closing parks and facilities Monday:
City Hall—open from 8 a.m. until noon.
Plummer Park—Park Office closes at noon, Farmers Market closes at 1 p.m.
West Hollywood Park—Park office closed all day. All services and activities are canceled. The pool will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
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