Traveling to LA? Here's how the I-10 arson closure may impact Arizonans

Laura Daniella Sepulveda, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
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After a part of Interstate 10 closed near downtown Los Angeles on Saturday following a massive fire that broke out underneath the structure, officials said the repairs can take several weeks as agencies work around the clock to reopen the freeway.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the arson damage to the freeway only affected the downtown Los Angeles area and was not expected to have a direct impact on interstate travel between Arizona and California. However, if you were planning a trip to Los Angeles in the upcoming weeks, you will likely need to prepare for delays and detours in the highly popular spot in the city.

Here are the delays you can expect and how you can avoid the area if you are traveling from Arizona to California in the following weeks.

Buckle up: Interstate 17 speed limit south of Peoria Avenue will be changing

Will the closure impact travel from Arizona?

Lauren Wonder, spokesperson for the California Department of Transportation in Los Angeles, said the impact is "very localized."

"All the impact of the damage has been in the downtown area," Wonder said. "I don't think it will have any impact on travel between Arizona and California."

What delays can I expect in Los Angeles and how can I avoid them?

The highway was expected to remain closed between Alameda Street and the East L.A. Interchange for the following 3-5 weeks, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Motorists were advised to check road conditions before leaving for their destinations. QuickMap offers information on traffic conditions, closures and highway information.

Here are some options to avoid the impacted area:

The California Department of Transportation was "optimistic" that the affected section of the 10 will partially open to traffic in December.

The state was working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, "rain or shine," to safely reopen the freeway, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

How did the I-10 fire in Los Angeles start?

The fire was set intentionally and maliciously in a fenced-off area under the freeway that should not have been accessible to the public, State Fire Marshall Daniel Berlant said at a news conference on Monday. The case was under investigation as an act of arson.

The freeway's bridge deck and columns were affected after the large blaze charred and chipped 100 columns, with 9 or 10 severely damaged, said Newsom, who proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to help facilitate cleanup and repair work.

The California Department of Transportation evaluated the structural damage before making the determination, Newsom said. The blaze also twisted the freeway deck guardrails.

State officials were considering a rebuild of the freeway if it could not be repaired, Newsom said.

Investigators urged the public to provide any leads or tips, which can be sent anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov.

USA TODAY reporters Kayla Jimenez and Vanessa Arredondo contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: I-10 closure in LA: How traveling Arizonans could be affected