Fans Warned Of Major Delays Ahead Of Big Sports Weekend At STAPLES Center
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — If there's ever been a time to try out the city's mass transit system, this weekend will be it.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports city officials on Thursday encouraged Angelenos to leave their cars at home if they plan to visit the STAPLES Center.
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Almost every major sporting event will be represented through Sunday, including six NHL and NBA playoff games, a Dodgers homestand and a cycling race — which means officials are also expecting some big-time traffic tie-ups.
The LAPD will deploy an increased number of motorcycle officers in the area as well to keep traffic moving as the Kings, Clippers and Lakers all host multiple home games at Staples and the Am Gen state-wide bicycle race crosses the finish line right across from L.A. Live.
But the warning for fans to ditch their cars may not hold much sway with commuters who will head to the games straight from work.
"I'm driving," said one man. "It's the only way I can get to the game."
Officials are touting transportation alternatives such as the Red Line subway, the Blue Line train and the newly-opened Expo Line to take fans the arena on Figueroa in the heart of downtown.
Fans can also get to any of the Dodgers homestand games against the St. Louis Cardinals from Union Station on pre-shuttle buses to Dodger Stadium.
While the weekend may seem like a living dream for sports fans, Michael Roth, vice president of communications at AEG, said he hopes it will also showcase the myriad of transportation options available to the city.
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"There's no doubt in anybody's mind that people have alternatives to come down, and there's also no doubt that there's more than 40,000 parking spaces within a 15-minute walk to STAPLES Center either," said Roth.
Click here for a full schedule of events at the STAPLES Center this weekend.
Click here for a detailed parking map for events scheduled on May 20.
