Motorists may already know about Metro-related closures of Wilshire Blvd. near Fairfax Ave., from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the next few weekends, but this weekend, and additional closure of Fairfax Ave. by the Academy Museum, from Wilshire to 6th Street, on Saturday night, will provide additional traffic complications.
First, this is the second week of Metro’s 13-week concrete street decking removal along Wilshire Blvd. between Fairfax and Spaulding Avenues, near the new Purple Line station near Fairfax. Phase 1 of the work started at Fairfax last weekend, and will continue moving east for seven weekends, then Phases 2 and 3 will move west from Fairfax for six more weeks, as shown below.
The Wilshire Blvd. closures will start at 9 p.m. on Fridays during this period, and continue through 6 a.m. on Monday mornings.
During the Phase 1 project hours, Wilshire Blvd. will be fully closed in the area, with the following traffic detours in place:
However, there will be some additional complications this week, as there will be an additional closure of Fairfax Avenue on Saturday, October 15, from noon to 10 p.m., to accommodate the Academy Museum’s annual Gala fundraising event. Because of this additional closure, traffic detoured by Metro will not be allowed to access Fairfax Ave. between Wilshire and Sixth Street (as shown on the map above), for much of Saturday afternoon and evening.
The Museum’s Gala will take place between 5:30 and 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, so Fairfax, from Wilshire Blvd. to 6th Street will be closed from noon on Saturday until the event’s conclusion at 10 p.m.
According to the Museum, additional details for its street closure include:
- Fairfax Avenue from Wilshire Boulevard to 6th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, northbound and southbound.
- Residents who live on Orange Street between S. Crescent Heights Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue will need to access Orange Street from S. Crescent Heights Boulevard.
- For residents who live south of Wilshire Boulevard, access to 8th Street will not be restricted.
- The west sidewalk on Fairfax Avenue between Wilshire Boulevard and 6th Street will be open and accessible for pedestrian use.
- Signage at 8th Street & Fairfax Avenue will indicate local neighborhood traffic only.
- Traffic Control Officers and museum staff will be placed at key intersections in the area for safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Community questions and concerns can be directed to the Museum’s hotline at (323) 930-3011.
As it did last year, the Miracle Mile Residential Association objected to the Academy Museum’s street closure for the annual fundraising event, saying such closures are a violation of the organization’s operating agreements. The MMRA formally opposed the event-related closure again this year and, according to MMRA President Greg Goldin, was joined in opposition by City Councilmember Paul Koretz. But as also happened last year, the city did finally approve the Museum’s request to close the street, despite the neighbors’ objections.
