Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Southern California Monday to begin a two-day visit to the Los Angeles area, prompting a number of road closures between the westside and Downtown L.A. that was expected to jam traffic during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The vice president was in Southern California to attend a series of fundraisers ahead of next month’s midterm elections.
Events included a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser on the 20th Century Fox lot and an evening fundraiser with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Biden was also scheduled to join Mayor Eric Garcetti Tuesday at a roundtable discussion with business loaders on raising the minimum wage.
Street closures included areas with major thoroughfares such as Santa Monica, Sunset and Wilshire boulevards, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the following areas at the aforementioned times.
Monday:
- Near the 405 Freeway and Santa Monica Boulevard from 3 to 6 p.m.
- Near Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard from 3 to 8 p.m.
- Near Sunset Boulevard between North Barrington Avenue and Mandeville Canyon from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday:
- Near Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard from 8 to 10 a.m.
- North Broadway between West 19th Avenue and Daly Street from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- North Spring Street between South Avenue 18 and Arcadia Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Near West Cesar East Chavez Avenue and North Grand Avenue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Grand Avenue between West Cesar East Chavez Avenue and West Olympic Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While bus routes were not expected to be impacted, any riders on a tight schedule were encouraged to find alternate routes by visiting metro.net.
Traffic was also expected to be impacted in L.A. again later in the week, as President Barack Obama was expected to visit the area for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s home.
More video: