Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Why The Playbook From The Northridge Earthquake Could Be Used Again To Speed 10 Freeway Repairs
An aerial view of cleanup crews working beneath the closed 10 Freeway Monday.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
The shut down of the 10 Freeway has disrupted the commute of hundreds of thousands of daily commuters. How To LA's Brian De Los Santos spoke to an urban planning expert on how the current repairs might compare to what happened back in 1994 when the Northridge earthquake severely damaged another section of the same freeway.
The backstory: The 1994 quake took out two overpasses — which potentially could have closed the 10 Freeway for many, many months. Marlon Boarnet, an urban planning professor at USC, says the playbook that got the road back up way faster then could also come into play today. The speed of repairs then were driven in large part to millions of dollars in incentives for finishing ahead of schedule — with larger bonuses the earlier it was done, and penalties repairs fell behind schedule.
Why that matters now: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday during LAist’s Air Talk that Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to “emulate” the 1994 plans, but did not provide specifics. Newsom did say Tuesday that repairs could take three to five weeks — as opposed to months — and that work will be done 24/7 to ensure it's completed soon.
Support for LAist comes from
Listen to the episode:
Listen
• 15:38
The 10 Freeway Closure Shows That We Can Rethink Our Commutes
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist