In the heart of summer travel season, the folks at Metro have decided to shut down the main artery to LAX, where 200,000 passengers a day were expected this weekend.

At least they warned us. 

Century Boulevard at Aviation is scheduled to be closed for 57 hours starting at 9 tonight. L.A.'s mayor, Metro and the Los Angeles Police Department are urging travelers to plan ahead and use public transportation if possible:
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In other words, it will be a clusterfuck of epic proportions, and we feel sorry for you if you have to get to LAX this weekend.

On a normal day about 92,000 motorists go through that intersection of Century and Aviation.

Metro recommends these alternatives:

Public transit is the best way to avoid what could be a difficult drive. Metro has five bus lines (102, 111, 117, 232 and 120) and the Metro Green Line serving LAX. Take the Green Line to Aviation/LAX Station. Go downstairs and catch the free LAX “G” shuttle. It serves all terminals … 

The LAX FlyAway runs regular service to the airport, as do other municipal lines. The FlyAway links to the airport from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, the Metro Expo LaBrea Station, Van Nuys, Westwood and Santa Monica.

 … If you absolutely must drive to LAX, allow extra time, check real-time traffic conditions by calling 511 on your phone or go to go511.com on your computer or mobile device. And consider this detour:

Coming from the south: Drive north on the I-405 freeway, head west on the 105 freeway, exit at Sepulveda Boulevard and go north to LAX. Coming from the east on the I-105 freeway, exit north on Sepulveda to LAX.

Coming from the north: Drive south on the I-405 freeway and exit at either Howard Hughes Parkway or La Tijera Boulevard. At Sepulveda Boulevard head south to LAX.


The agency says the closure is necessary so that it can take down an old railroad bridge and build a station for the Crenshaw/LAX transit project.

The $2 billion-plus, 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX light-rail system will connect the Westside's Expo line with the Green Line. It's expected to open in 2019.

Happy travels.

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