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Hey folks, I'm the reporter-narrator on a UCLA-produced program on the 405 closure that's airing as a special edition of "SoCal Connected" on KCET. "Countdown to Carmageddon' airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. and again on Friday at 9:30 p.m. Here's a two-minute trailer setting it up.
The program explores in a reported, non-hysterical way what's actually going to happen this weekend when the 405 freeway closes for 53 hours. We look at the bigger picture with the 405 and traffic in Southern California, and give the freeway closure some historical perspective. Among those I interview are author D.J. Waldie, KCRW traffic reporter Kajon Cermak, UCLA transportation professor Brian Taylor, 405 project manager Mike Barbour and LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese. The LAPD and LAFD are heavily involved, frankly out of fears that so many cars will flood through the city that entire neighborhoods could be cut off from emergency services. We detail what's being done to keep people moving and safe, including staff-up of an emergency command center all weekend.
It's taken a lot of work over the past few weeks, for all involved, but I think the show came out really well. (If I may say...) The producers are Matt Boatright-Simon and Sebastian Hernandez of the UCLA Broadcast Studio, with big-time help from Christelle Nahas.
Related: The 405 closure this weekend is all about the Mulholland Drive bridge, and Metro today posted more details about how the structure will be demolished. The biggest thing to know is that the demolition will only begin this weekend and won't be completed for about a year.