Interstate 10 in Los Angeles will reopen more than a week after a fire damaged the freeway. Governor Gavin Newsom of California said at a news conference that the interstate may be partially reopened as early as Sunday evening and would be “fully operational” on Monday. He made the announcement on the freeway with Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, Vice President Kamala Harris and other officials who provided updates on the repairs.
The freeway is a crucial artery for Los Angeles drivers for daily travel, Mayor Bass said, as the fire, which erupted in the early morning hours of Nov. 11, damaged more than 100 columns that bolster the freeway. State inspectors had visited the site at least six times since early 2020 and had identified fire and safety hazards at a leased storage space under the freeway before the fire.
Officials had initially suggested that it could take months to reopen the area, which would have created a nightmare for a city heavily dependent on commuting and cars. Ms. Bass and Mr. Newsom on Thursday shortened the timetable for repairs, announcing that all of the lanes would be open before Thanksgiving. Senator Alex Padilla of California said that the repairs were estimated to cost $3 million, which would be covered by federal funds.
