Question: What happens when you shut down the busiest section of the busiest freeway in Los Angeles over an entire weekend?
Answer: Carmaggedon a.k.a. the worst traffic jam *ever*.
Carmaggedon II takes place this weekend – Saturday September 29 and Sunday September 30, 2012 – when about ten miles of the I-405 freeway will be shut down
northbound between the I-10 and the I-101, southbound between the I-101 and Getty Center Drive
Why?
It’s part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement. In order to add a northbound high-occupancy vehicle lane (carpool lane) through the Sepulveda Pass, Caltrans is demolishing the north side of the Mulholland Drive Bridge.
work on one of the bridges
The half-a-million motorists who usually drive the freeway are once again being warned to stay home because the alternative routes between the Valley and the Westside are narrow, winding canyon roads.
narrow local streets
405 South
405 north
405 with view of houses on the hill
If you live in Los Angeles, but can’t go away for the weekend, yet need to go across to the west side this weekend, Edmunds.com offers five tips for surviving Carmageddon II.
Wondering Rose 
I find it absolutely extraordinary that you actually have a NAME for this kind of traffic jam – ‘carmageddon’! And that you have half-a-million motorists on this stretch of road! That is a scary thought. I wonder what the traffic volumes on our N1 and N2 highways into and out of the city are at rush hour… but I don’t think it’s that many.
Hi Reggie,
You don’t know Los Angeles traffic. We also have a name – a sig-alert – if there’s such a bad accident that you’re going to be *sitting* on the freeway for +30 minutes.
I live about 13 miles from the museum but with all this road work (which has been going for about 18 months or so) it can take us over an hour. Exhausting.
When we left Cape Town we drove to the airport in morning rush hour traffic. It was nothing.
Such heavy traffic must be exhausting, Rosie. And so frustrating to have to budget for longer driving times.
Reggie before I moved here I could never imagine so much traffic – cars at a standstill in six lanes of freeway plus carpool lane – and when I first started at the Museum I thought I was crazy to even attempt it, but I know realize that many people have far worse commutes than me.
I thought of you Rosie and wondered about your traffic. We are up in Santa Barbara for another event and it didn’t occur to me to ask if we could have a Carmageddon rate! We are, however, closely mapping out our return trip! I will be curious to see how people respond! 🙂
Hah hah you’re one of the escapees spending the weekend in Santa Barbara without even knowing you were part of a mass exodus! I wonder if you were to ask at the front desk about the special Carmageddon rate whether you’d still get it? Even though you’re in Santa B for an event I know how much you love the ocean and I hope you manage to squeeze in a visit to the beach.
I wouldn’t drive back on the 101. We usually take the 118 to the 5
Well, that’s two weeks in a row our paths cross on stories from your posts. Last week it was the shuttle Endeavor and just 30″ ago daughter calls me that the 405 is terribly backed up. “Yes,” I told her, “my blogging friend says it will really be a tangled mess on Saturday and Sunday. But it’s not supposed to get really bad until tomorrow.” (I read her the details word for word from your post.) “Well, it was bad coming home from work,” she reported. She was not aware so she’s planning to leave for her SF weekend trip later tonight arriving really late. Sounds like things are already snarling up.
Hi Georgette,
I love how you can tell your daughter what’s going on in L.A. via a buddy’s blog 🙂
The 405 is always bad. I know it well because that’s the freeway I have to take for my commute to work. I usually avoid it and take a route which twists and turns along narrow canyon streets. I prefer to inch along narrow streets and have a chance to look at the gardens and trees, than be sitting on a freeway.
Carmageddon sounds crazy! If its me, I may go out of town if I’m sure I won’t be stuck in traffic if not, staying at home seems like a good plan too.There are always something to do at home when we start using of creativity. Wonderful images. Make me feel that I was also there watching all the cars and the sceneries. Have a blessed weekend.
Hi IT,
There are so many things we can do in our own neighborhoods. I love parking the car in the garage and not using it for an entire weekend. Why can’t we just sit in the yard (as we do on the beach) and read a book without feeling compelled to sweep, mop, vacuum, clean, dust….?
Are you far from your work? Do you have to drive along freeways like me?
Hi. Your traffic looks intimidating. We just came back from a trip through the Province of Quebec and construction is everywhere! I have come to hate orange warning signs…. Jane
Hi Jane,
There are too many days when the traffic is so dreadful that I want to just turn around and go back to bed.
The construction on the 405 has been going on for a couple of years now, which makes a stressful commute even worse. Where there were two lanes, plus a turning lane on the bridges we now have to inch along in one lane of traffic, and not forget to watch out for those aggressive drivers who cut in at the last minute.
I’ve heard the Canadian joke: “There are two seasons, winter and road construction.”
Chuckling, here. “Carmageddon” is a word Houstonians hear from time to time, too. If carmageddon is combined with “west loop”, we’re in serious trouble. 😉
One difference is the way you refer to your roads. We speak of “610” or “I-10”, not “the 610”. The first time I ran across “the” combined with road numbers was in an extraordinary essay onCalTrans written by Joan Didion in her book “The White Album”. The essay is called “Bureaucrats”, and if you can find it, I guarantee you’ll be reading it aloud to someone – anyone! – within the first page.
Hi Linda,
I didn’t know that the term “Carmageddon” was used in other parts of the country. From your description I think you may use it in Houston for something we call a “sig-alert” i.e. viz Wikipedia:
“A Sig Alert is defined by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as “any unplanned event that causes the closing of one lane of traffic for 30 minutes or more.”
Well isn’t that interesting that we in California add a “the” when we talk about our freeways, while the rest of the country just call a road by it’s number, or is it just in Texas that you don’t put a “the”?
Thank you for recommending the Joan Didion essay in “The White Album.” I love a book recommendation that comes with a guarantee
“I guarantee you’ll be reading it aloud to someone – anyone! – within the first page.”
I’ll let you know when I’ve read it.
Reminiscent of how it used to be where we lived, not a major traffic jam but the street we lived in on match days (we lived near a well known football stadium) and on those days, coupled with the edicts of our local council we couldn’t have people round as there was no parking, people couldn’t get in or out of the street, it was chaos. I’m still irate after so many years that we couldn’t have the memorial for my father at our house as nobody could have got in or out. Grrr…
These things are all so trying.
Hello Val,
Geez Val, I’ve never heard of someone not being able to hold a memorial service for their father because of a football match down the street! I’m sure you must still feeling mad. Did you ever forget their was a game and invite friends round that afternoon/evening?
We had friends who lived near the beach and were loath to go out on a summer weekend because they wouldn’t be able to park their car when they came home.
It was impossible to forget there was a match coming up, Rosie, as we all (everyone who lived in that street and all the ones around) were sent fixtures lists. We really lived our lives dependant on what was on at the stadium, it was a horrible artificial way to live. (There were other problems there too, including gang violence. I was so glad to leave there.)
Oh yes, living in a tourist area must be hell, too. Do your friends live in an area that gets tourists all the year round or do they get a respite during the winter?
Oh no, Rosie! My son is on his way to LA from San Diego to pick up his in-laws arriving from Korea. I truly hope that he knew about Carmaggedon and won’t be thrown off his route. I would be nervous about driving on ANY southern California roads. You guys should all get driving awards for surviving the traffic.
Hi Kathy,
Your son should be okay because he’s coming from San Diego in the south to LA airport. The carpool lane is being added about ten miles north of the airport. I say “should” but the backup could reach many miles south of the road closures… oh your poor son…
My response is most probably too late because you said your son was “on his way” to LA? How was the drive?
I haven’t talked with him since, Rosie. I assume they made it back to San Diego with their two cars filled with four adults and two babies. Hopefully! Poor boy had a headache, too. 😦
Oh lord they had to drive TWO cars to the airport and he started off with a headache. Poor boy! What a welcome to Southern California for his future in-laws!
no thank you, no thank you, no thank you! i cannot imagine dealing with all of that traffic! in contrast, i watch the pelicans, comorants, egrets, herons and frigates navigate this last bend of the river. they make a lovely traffic jam at times, in the air and on the water! z
Hi zee,
sigh…I’m sure everyone who lives in a city will feel jealous of your life. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more than sit on your verandah and “watch the pelicans, comorants, egrets, herons and frigates navigate the last bend of the river…”
maybe one of these days a flying carpet will deliver you to a quiet and serene place where you can do just that! Z
yes please yes please yes please 🙂
And to think we get impatient if it takes more than five minutes to get out of our county town and on the the country roads, Rosie. Carmageddon sound like hell on wheels! 🙂
It’s all relative isn’t it? Five minutes to get out of your country town sounds like heaven – my hour long commute to work is really getting to me.
All this inconvenience just for a carpool lane? It infuriates me that they didn’t take the opportunity to add a subway line at the same time…
Seems to be only one thing to do: Stay home – or bike or walk. I am not in the LA-area and won’t experience the carmageddon – and I am happy for that. I have no patience waiting in line… I would definitely go for a weekend away. May you have a nice time! (and not traffic jammed).
I also don’t have patience for waiting in long lines of traffic and since they started working on widening the 405 my commute to work has become a nightmare inching along in single lanes of traffic.
We don’t live close to the 405 – the people who are immediately affected are those who live in the neighborhoods of Bellair and Brentwood.
I don’t mind staying at home for a weekend. The shops are close to home and there are some very nice walks in the neighborhood (which I should share in a future post).
What an appropriate name Rosie…Carmeggadon!
Have never heard this term before…but Karachi with it’s 20 million inhabitants and a road infra structure that often leaves a lot to be desired, sounds like a place that could certainly use such a name…:)
Hi Shamaji,
I didn’t know you lived in Karachi. Thank you for telling me. My mother had cousins who lived there until the 2nd world war.
I cant imagine driving around a city with 20 million inhabitants.
How very interesting Rosie…have any of them been back since?
Karachi has changed so very much from what they must remember…it has changed so much even in the last 30 odd years that I have been living here…it is a city that I love living in…with a very strong sense of ownership…
In spite of the problems that are inherently there in such a huge Metropolis…added to which is the unfortunate and often tragic fall out of acts of terrorism, we have a flourishing and vibrant society at play…one that is successful…eclectic…erudite…cultural…happening…social…religious…and above all, philanthropic and committed to Pakistan…true, the present negative aspects to life cannot be denied, but there’s a very strong and dedicated movement for change afoot as well…this is one that gives all of us much hope…creates “pockets of excellence” and allows all of us to dream our dreams for a beloved country and march on in a determined and committed manner in spite of all odds…
Would love to take you around our Museums too….one day inshallah….
I think a few have gone back in the past 10-15 years.
I’d love to see the museums in Karachi especially after the way you describe it:
“.. successful…eclectic…erudite…cultural…happening…social…religious…and above all, philanthropic and committed to Pakistan…”
I don’t know how many of us can say as much about the cities we live in.
Just listening to the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and they were talking with a woman who managed to get onto the highway (despite the police’s best efforts to stop this sort of thing) and she skateboarded for a mile or so while her hubby (a professional photographer) took photos.
Hi Sybil,
I hadn’t heard of that story. I’ll look out for it. If her husband’s a professional photographer I’m sure it’ll be on the evening news and the L.A.Times.
Hi Rosie, I remember your post from last year, and this year things again look quite the mess! I hope you survived intact. Isn’t it funny, how dependent we are on transportation? I’m sure there’s a blog post about that in there somewhere. 🙂 It was nice to see your disclosure at the bottom, about how you were not the one driving while you took the pictures. Good for you! That sort of thing makes me so mad. I see people almost every time I’m out texting while they’re driving. Makes me so mad. Oh wait — I said that already. Well it does! I hope the freeway improvements will make your travels around your part of California a little nicer in the future.
Hi Melissa,
One of my neighbors had to fetch her husband from the airport on Sunday and a trip that usually takes her half an hour took 1 and a half hours even though she avoided the 405.
They are spending billions of dollars pulling down bridges and building new ones just to add one extra lane – a carpool lane. That’s all. I can’t understand why, when they are already working on the freeway and have all the infrastructure in place, they couldn’t have also added a subway line going from the valley to LA airport.
Whoever thought New York City could look so great by contrast? I do not envy your carmageddon except it gives great fodder to the late night comics, especially Leno. This mess would be a true Johnny Carson moment – the Slausson cut-off jokes being his signature schtick. Good luck.
Hi EOS,
I think Leno lives here so his Carmaggedon jokes would’ve been more personal, and more interesting for those of us living here. I’m sorry I missed his show! Did you see it?
I love NYC because it’s a walking city. LA is too spread out for walking.
Carmaggedon – that’s such a great word! I’m guessing you survived and possibly found time to sit on the porch and write. Nothing zaps the creative mind like being stuck in traffic.
Hi Renee,
Carmaggedon’s a great word isn’t it.
I survived very nicely thank you – because of the freeway closure the museum was closed for the weekend which meant I didn’t have to work on Sunday YAAY – so Mr F and I went away to the mountains near L.A. No traffic jams there.
That looks horrible! Other than LAX, I’ve never been to your wonderful city. I know it offers much, but the traffic would get old fast.
Hi Frank,
Next time you’re in LAX for the day or even for a few hours, do what the tourists do and come on over to the museum. I’ll meet you at the front entrance.
I’ll remember that … and thanks for the offer. Problem is, I think I’ve been at LAX either only once or twice. Thanks for the generous offer!!!
I’m glad you mentioned last year’s road closure, because I was having some serious deja vu. Your posts about driving in California always remind me of a quote from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? “Eight lanes of shimmering cement running from here to Pasadena. Smooth, safe, fast. Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.”
Charles, if you were having serious deja vu just reading about it, imagine what it’s like for us folks who have to travel that route through all that road construction every bloody day?
Great quote. I haven’t seen the movie.
Rosie Auntie, traffic jams are pretty normal in our part of world. In cities, most of people believe that to travel with public transport will hurt their status symbol and they end up waiting for hours during traffic jams. That’s why I love to travel wit local trains; to stay away from carmageddon. 🙂
Salaam Arindam,
is it correct if I greet you with Salaam?
Interesting to learn that in your part of the world one would lose status if someone saw you traveling by bus! I also love taking local trains. There’s a lovely train ride from Los Angeles to San Diego (about 2 hours south of here) Beautiful views of the ocean because the train tracks go right along the beach.
No we usually do not use Salaam. I am not sure if there is any term with which elders greet younger in my mother tongue. But we greet elders with either touching their feet or by saying “Namaskaar” while holding both our hands together. 🙂
“touching their feet, or by saying “Namaskaar” while holding both our hands together…”
What a beautiful, polite way to greet someone older [and wiser] than you. Thank you for explaining it to me Arindam. In this country we don’t differentiate the way we greet someone so kids can say anything they please.
What about “Namaste”? Who uses that greeting?
We even heard about this on our local news – what a production!
Hi Barbara,
It was a big production but it all went smoothly and the freeway opened earlier than planned. I’m so surprised to hear that you heard about it in Connecticut and Sybil heard about it in Nova Scotia… Do you think they put it on your news so you’ll start appreciating your roads?
I think some of the things that happen in California seem larger than life to us here in this itty bitty little state. 🙂
I love the way you describe your part of the country as an “itty bitty little state”.
“Carmageddon.” That cracked me up for some reason. It’s good that you get fair warning. That doesn’t always happen here although we don’t have nearly the traffic that you do in L.A. My biggest road work beef this year has been the bridges on Interstate 80 going across the rivers in Pennsylvania. They decided to work on ALL of the bridges at one time, closing them down to two narrow lanes. If an accident happens on the bridge (and accidents happen frequently), it takes hours to get things cleared up. Heaven help you if there are accidents on two or more of the bridges at or near the same time. A friend coming to visit us had to sit for five hours after one accident. Eventually people left their vehicles and they were having a party out there on the highway.
Hi Robin,
I also want to laugh when I hear someone say “Carmageddon”. It’s a great word.
As the I-405 is the busiest freeway in the country, we have to be warned about the closure, or we’d end up with the worst grid-lock-traffic-jam you could ever imagine.
How many bridges go across the rivers on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania?
I wonder whether they’re working on all the bridges at the same time because it simplifies the work when you can bring out work crews and equipment at the same time.
Oh my god I can’t imagine having to wait on a bridge for five hours because of an accident!