Local officials are warning motorists to prepare for big delays when President Barack Obama arrives in Los Angeles Monday during afternoon rush hour.
President Obama is back in town Monday for the second time in a month, attending two fundraisers tonight and heading to the Valley to appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Tuesday morning.
The president will land at LAX at 4:50 p.m. and will be transported by helicopter to a UCLA-area helipad. Then he’ll take an undisclosed route to Hancock Park, where he will attend two fundraising events, which has officials preparing for major traffic jams.
“You can count on street closures as the president’s motorcade moves across town on Monday afternoon,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Obama’s exact route will be revealed just hours before his arrival, according to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, but drivers can expect major north-south streets between the San Diego (405) Freeway and Highland Avenue to be closed.
L.A. residents should anticipate heavy traffic or street closures on:
- Sunset Boulevard;
- Santa Monica Boulevard;
- Pico Boulevard;
- and Olympic Boulevard.
At 6:15 p.m., Obama will dine at the home of producer James Lassiter along with guests who are willing to pay $35,800 per plate. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will host the event.
Residents in the neighborhood of the first event say they have been contacted by their block captains to remind them that if they leave the house this evening to walk their dogs, for example, they should remember to take their ID with them, according to a live news broadcast on KTLA.
After dinner, the president will go to a nearby Latino fundraiser, hosted at the home of Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith. Attendees include co-host Eva Longoria, Mayor Antonio Villaragoisa and guests who will pay $5,000 to attend.
Obama will spend the night in Los Angeles.
Obama’s final L.A. destination will be on an early taping of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in Burbank Tuesday morning. This will be the president’s fourth appearance on the show and his second since entering office. Burbank residents should expect heavier traffic near the Cahuenga pass, according to Rosendahl.
The president is predicted to raise $1 million in LA before flying out of LAX at 11:45 a.m. to conclude his West Coast tour in San Francisco.
For frequencies to monitor, check out the latest newsletter.