The president's visit to Los Angeles is already causing traffic congestion around West Hollywood and Beverly Hills — and it's only going to get worse as the day goes on.
President Obama will visit the House of Blues — an appropriate location, given his poll numbers — at 4:30 p.m. After that, he heads to the Fig & Olive on La Cienega Boulevard.
San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood was shut down from Santa Monica Boulevard to Melrose Avenue at 6 a.m. Monday — and will stay closed until noon Tuesday.
Obama leaves Tuesday morning, so expect the traffic hassle to continue for a while.
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The West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office has issued what would sound ominous in any city, and sounds horrible here — traffic alert. To wit:
"Street closures and major traffic delays are expected throughout the afternoon and evening Monday in the City of West Hollywood and surrounding areas. Local access will be restricted in some areas. Residents, businesses and visitors to West Hollywood are strongly encouraged to plan ahead to avoid any inconveniences."
By "plan ahead," they mean: "Change your plans." Expect inconveniences.
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According to the sheriff's office, the following streets will be affected:
Sunset Boulevard from Doheny Drive to Sweetzer Avenue, Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard, Olive Drive from Sunset to Santa Monica, Holloway Drive from Sunset to La Cienega, La Cienega Boulevard from Sunset to Rosewood Avenue, Fountain Avenue from La Cienega to Sweetzer and De Longpre Avenue from Fountain to Flores Street.