Carmageddon Survival Kit: A Collective Post of the Coming (Car)Apocalypse

And this is on a regular day...
Photo - Establishing Shot: The 405 by Atwater Village Newbie from the ExperienceLA Flickr Pool

We do our fair share of rooting for public transit, but sometimes events kind of speak the message for themselves. Carmageddon?  Carpocalypse?  Whatever you're calling the 53-hour closure of the I-405, it probably doesn't sound like a pretty commute (even if naming the event has felt like all kinds of fun).

But we've been getting ready for this event for weeks - sorting, collecting, gathering - to present to you your Carmageddon Survival Kit!

Read on for

• Background Info
• Public Transit Info
• Carmageddon Survival Ideas & Tips

Background Details (aka the Origins of the Carmageddon)

The Mulholland Dr. Bridge is getting demolished and reconstructed as part of the widening of the I-405.  Beginning 7pm PST on Friday July 15th through 5am on Monday July 18th, there will be a full freeway closure of the I-405 in the Sepulveda Pass as well as the bridge:

• Northbound I-405: 10-mile closure between I-10 and U.S. 101
• Southbound I-405: 4-mile closure between U.S. 101 and Getty Center Drive Ramps

For more details, check out Metro's I-405 Project Website: http://www.metro.net/projects/I-405/

If you want a bit of nostalgia that speeds itself into the present, the Jewish Journal published this great piece entitled The 'bridge to nowhere' that's behind Carmageddon.

Public Transit

Metro and Metrolink are increasing its public transit services and Metro is even offering free fares during the closure. 

Metro is offering

• Free fares for the following bus and rail lines for Lines 2, 4, 20, 33, 150, 152, 155, 156, 158, 161, 183, 224, 230, 233, 234, 236, 240, 242, 243, 244, 245, 656, 704, 720, 733, 761, Metro Orange Line, Metro Red Line, Metro Purple Line. 
• 61 Buses and 32 rail cars will be added to enhance services in the area most impacted by the closure
• More Details: http://www.metro.net/projects/I-405/i405-special-transit-service/

Metrolink is

• Operating additional trains on the Antelope Valley Line and the Ventura County Line.  More Details: http://metrolinktrains.com/news/?id=6546

Carmageddon Survival Tips & Ideas

So all this madness might make you want to curl up into a ball for the weekend of Carmageddon, but we don't think you need to stay huddled in a corner. 

LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's office shares 53 tips to survive without the 405 from movie nights to board games.  You also don't have to go far to Experience LA.  Other tips include visiting your local library, throwing a block party or a pool party, exploring your neighborhood, and attending local events. 

But we are in Los Angeles and this place does have a way of calling out to you - telling you to do something or go somewhere.  And let's face it, you might not have a choice and HAVE to get somewhere.  If that's the case, here's some links for you:

• "The 405 Report" (Courtesy of LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky): In addition to 53 ways to survive without the 405, there are also LAX Travelers Tips and Road Maps for 405 emergencies!  Maybe just be glad, you didn't plan your wedding Carmaggedon weekend.
  
• KCET UpDaily's Carmageddon LA Survival Guide - Events: KCET's selected a number of events all throughout LA from Farmers Markets to Dinosaurs to Dancing and - our personal favorite activity - Eating. 
  
• Car-Mageddon.com - Events and Discounts:  Carmaggedon can possibly save you both car miles and money.  Check out this site for events near you and local discounts too.
  
• Beat Carmageddon (Waze App, Twitter): Don't underestimate the power of technology to get yourself through this crazy weekend.  Check out this free live traffic and navigation app (for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry) and get updates via their @BeatCarmageddon Twitter. 

Good luck!

-Charity Tran