President's Trip To LA Monday And Tuesday To Impact WeHo
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — President Barack Obama's visit to the Los Angeles area Monday and Tuesday will affect traffic all over.
The sheriff's office Saturday issued details how traffic will specifically be impacted in West Hollywood where the President has several meetings and fundraisers scheduled.
Three Marine Corps helicopters, including two presidential "Marine One" style choppers, were spotted flying at treetop level over downtown Santa Monica Friday, leading to speculation that the president may transfer from helicopter to limousine on the far Westside, then be driven across Westwood and Beverly Hills to West Hollywood, avoiding the San Diego (405) Freeway during Monday evening's rush hours.
The president is scheduled to arrive at LAX at 4:40 p.m., attend a fundraiser at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, then move a few blocks to a more-intimate, $35,000 per couple dinner at a restaurant in West Hollywood, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The FAA is closing the airspace to most aircraft within a 30-mile radius of Santa Monica from 9:45 a.m. Monday until 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to a notice to pilots posted this weekend.
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.
No police agency is officially confirming the president's itinerary, but the West Hollywood sheriff's station today said an unspecified "special event" will occur on the Sunset Strip Monday evening.
Los Angeles city councilman Bill Rosendahl on Friday warned Angelenos, especially Westsiders, to beware of traffic snarls Monday and Tuesday. In Los Angeles, streets likely to be impacted include Sunset Boulevard from Barrington Avenue across Brentwood, Westwood and Beverly Hills to La Cienega Boulevard.
The sheriff's office warned of traffic closures Monday afternoon on the Sunset Strip from the Beverly Hills line east to Sweetzer Avenue; Santa Monica Boulevard from the Beverly Hills line east to La Cienega Boulevard; and Holloway Drive, and Fountain Avenue and Olive Drive near La Cienega.
At the "Blue Whale," San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday until noon Tuesday. The West Hollywood sheriff's station is there, leading to speculation that the road closure is related to a possible command post.
Rosendahl said the Secret Service makes the final call about street closures and the president's motorcade route. "It is my hope they have learned from previous visits and understand that Angelenos already face gridlock on a daily basis and will not tolerate lengthy delays due to the President's visit," the city councilman said.
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