Los Angeles freeway closed after arson fire set to fully reopen before Monday morning’s rush hour

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom says an elevated Los Angeles freeway closed by a Nov. 11, 2023, arson fire will reopen ahead of Monday morning’s (Nov. 20, 2023) commute. That’s a day earlier than previously announced and weeks ahead of the original estimate. Newsom announced Sunday that inspections show it’s safe to reopen shortly after crews worked round the clock for days to shore up about 100 support columns. Newsom said the freeway would be “fully operational” before Monday’s rush hour. An estimated 300,000 vehicles a day use the east-west freeway crossing the heart of Los Angeles. Vice President Kamala Harris joined Newsom and city Mayor Karen Bass for Sunday’s announcement.