California Commuters Are In For a Nightmare After Freeway Fire Damage Shuts Down Highway More than 300,000 drivers use the road daily.

By Erin Davis

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, November 12, 2023 - Aerial views of the 10 Freeway a day after a large pallet fire burned below, shutting the freeway to traffic.

A massive fire in California raged under the busy 10 Freeway for hours over the weekend, causing so much structural damage it's now closed indefinitely in both directions.

The closure is set to make Los Angeles' already notorious traffic a commuting nightmare for city residents. The 10 Freeway is used by more than 300,000 drivers daily, per ABC News.

"As we made clear yesterday, this was a huge fire, and the damage will not be fixed in an instant," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a news conference Monday morning. "Engineers have worked all night and are working right now to determine our path forward."

As for when the road may reopen, Bass said: "We cannot give you an estimate of time right now."

On Monday, Los Angeles transportation officials warned drivers to expect "gridlock" and suggested they "work from home."

The cause of the fire is under investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

Erin Davis

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