High-Tech Mobile Unit To Help Ease Traffic During 'Century Crunch'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Southland commuters will have some high-tech help in getting around a planned 57-hour bridge demolition and major street closure of one of the busiest entrances to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this weekend.

During the upcoming "Century Crunch" - which will shut down the corner of Century Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard July 25-28 as an old railroad bridge is demolished to make room for a new Crenshaw/LAX light rail station - Metro officials are expected to deploy the new Mobile Command Center to ease the flow of traffic around the key intersection.

The transportation agency unveiled the mobile home-like Command Center in February to help keep bus and rail operations running smoothly in the event of an emergency or other traffic situations.

Officials say the intersection of Century and Aviation is extremely busy, with nearly 93,000 motorists traveling through the Century/Aviation intersection on a typical day using airport shuttle buses, municipal buses, and taxis, as well as other vehicles traveling to and from the airport.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports Metro project director Charles Beauvoir said the cameras and equipment in the bus will provide "real-time traffic information and progress on the construction" during the "Crunch."

Heavy construction equipment is currently on-site and is conducting preparatory demolition work near the bridge, Metro officials said.

Century Boulevard will be closed at the intersection with Aviation Boulevard beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, July 25, through 6 a.m. Monday, July 28. The southbound Aviation Boulevard lane will be closed between Arbor Vitae and 104th Street.

The public is being strongly advised in advance to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, use recommended detours and utilize public transportation to avoid potentially severe traffic congestion that could cause missed domestic and international flights.