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Community Corner

Many Roads to Close for Obama's Visit Today

The president will be in West Hollywood for two fundraisers, affecting Sunset, Santa Monica and La Cienega boulevards as well as other streets.

Planning to travel through West Hollywood today?

Prepare for delays. Traffic is likely to be a mess today as many roads will be

Obama will be in town for two campaign fundraisers—one at on the Sunset Strip and the other at Fig & Olive restaurant on Melrose Place at La Cienega Boulevard.

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The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station has advised the following streets will be affected

  • Sunset Boulevard (from Doheny Drive to Sweetzer Avenue)
  • Santa Monica Boulevard (from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard)
  • Olive Drive (from Sunset Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard)
  • Holloway Drive (front Sunset Boulevard to La Cienega Boulevard)
  • La Cienega Boulevard (from Sunset Boulevard to Rosewood Avenue)
  • Fountain Avenue (from La Cienega Boulevard to Sweetzer Avenue)
  • Delongpre Avenue (from Fountain Avenue to Flores Street)

The sheriff's department warns there will be street closures, major traffic delays throughout Monday afternoon and evening. Local access will be restricted in some areas.

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The exact times of these street closures are not known as the Secret Service is closely guarding information about Obama’s schedule.  

City News Service reports that the president is scheduled to land at LAX at 4:40 p.m. Three Marine Corps helicopters, including two presidential Marine One style choppers, were spotted flying at treetop level Friday over downtown Santa Monica, leading to speculation that the president may transfer from helicopter to limousine on the far Westside.

If correct, his motorcade should then drive through Westwood and Beverly Hills to West Hollywood, avoiding the San Diego I-405 Freeway during Monday evening’s rush hours. 

San Vicente between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard will also be closed from Monday at 6 a.m. to Tuesday at noon. The sheriff’s station is located in that block, leading many to speculate that a command post will be set up there.

The city of West Hollywood is advising that some neighborhoods will have restricted access, but it doesn’t say which ones since it don’t know yet.

Officials are advising motorists to avoid the West Hollywood area as traffic on streets that remain open will be heavier. Drivers who must come to West Hollywood can expect significant delays.

The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace to most aircraft within a 30-mile radius of Santa Monica from Monday at 9:45 a.m. to Tuesday at 11 a.m., according to a notice to pilots posted this weekend.  

City News Service also reports that street protests are planned by at least one group somewhere near the House of Blues. A group called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism said it will protest on Sunset Boulevard starting at 4 p.m. but it is not known where the Secret Service will locate its authorized demonstration area. 

Tuesday morning, Obama is expected to travel through Beverly Hills and Westwood on his way back to LAX. More street closures in the area are expected, but the exact route remains unknown.

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