Transportation routes will be FUBAR: Detour Los Angeles during Michael Jackson Memorial Services!

July 6, 2:14 PMLA Transportation ExaminerBrandy Schaffels

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If you work downtown, you might need to work at home or take the day off on Tuesday, as thousands of Michael Jackson fans will be arriving to pay their respects at the Memorial Services being held at Staples Center and nearby Nokia Theatre.

An online lottery was held over the weekend for 17,500 free tickets for the memorial services: 11,000 at Staples Center and 6,500 tickets for the Nokia Theatre, where the event will be simulcast on large video screens. The event will also be broadcast on NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment.

Many of the streets around the Staples center will be shutdown or re-routed to handle the onslaught of giant crowds. In addition to those holding tickets to be allowed inside the venues, officials expect hundreds of thousands of others to make their own pilgrimage to the surrounding downtown areas. It's gonna be a massive crowd: In fact, according to LAist,   "The area around Staples Center will be shut down to traffic and controlled by about 1,400 LAPD officers assigned to manage the crowds." Wowzer.

Not only will there be problems downtown, but LAist is also reporting that Forest Lawn Drive will be shut down between Barham and Zoo Drive for an undetermined amount of time beginning at 6:30 on Tuesday Morning.

Metro will re-route numerous bus lines on Tuesday, July 7, because of street closures around the Staples Center. All Metro patrons should expect delays to all downtown area bus lines and plan for additional travel time.

According to LAist ""We're going to run the blue line until told not to," explained Metro Spokesman Rick Jager. "The biggest impact is the busses because they've cornered off a large area." Over 50 bus lines will be re-routed (details below). "We're really urging people to plan ahead tomorrow. There will probably be a lot of delays," said Jager.

Metro has posted affected route schedules at www.metro.net/ saying "Due to the proximity of the event area, Metro Blue Line passengers should note that the Metro Blue Line Pico Station may have to be closed or service may have to be suspended north of the Metro Blue Line Grand Station for unknown periods of time on Tuesday, July 7. Metro will make every effort to maintain Metro Blue Line service in this area throughout the day. Metro Blue Line patrons are asked to plan accordingly. Metro Rail services will be operating on regular weekday schedules."

According to www.Metro.net: On Tuesday, July 7, beginning at 12:01 a.m. (or when barricades are in place around the immediate Staples Center area).

Listed below are the Metro Bus Lines impacted and their general routings: (Click to download a detailed PDF here)

• 28, 728 - via Alvarado and 6th/5th (no service on Olympic/Hill/Spring between Alvarado and 6th/5th).
• 30, 31 - via Vermont, Santa Monica Freeway to Broadway (no service on Pico between Vermont and Broadway).
• 81 - via Washington, Alvarado, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa between Washington/8th/9th and 6th/5th).
• 439 - via Santa Monica Freeway to Main, 6th/5th, Figueroa (no service on Figueroa/Flower/Grand or Olive between 6th/5th and Santa Monica Freeway)
• 442, 444, 446, 447, 460 - via Harbor Freeway, Adams, Main, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa/Flower between Adams and 6th/5th)
• 450X - via Harbor Freeway, Adams, Main, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa/Flower between Adams and 6th/5th)
• 485, 490 - westbound only via Grand, 9th, Hill, 18th (no service on Grand between 9th and 18th)

On Tuesday, July 7, beginning at approximately 3:00 a.m. and until the end of the event. Listed below are Metro Lines impacted and their general routings:

• 2, 4, 302 - via 6th/5th, Main/Spring, 16th (no service on Hill/Broadway south of 6th/5th)
• 10, 48 - via Washington, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Hill/8th/9th between 6th /5th and Main)
• 14,37 - via Washington, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Olive/Grand between Washington and 6th/5th)
• 28, 728 - via Alvarado, 6th/5th (no service on Olympic/Hill/Spring between Alvarado and 6th/5th).
• 30, 31, 730 - via Hoover, Washington, Main/Spring (no service on Pico/Broadway between Hoover and 1st).
• 33, 333 - via Hoover, Washington, Main (no service on Venice between Hoover and Main).
• 66, 366 - via Alvarado, 6th/5th, Main/Spring (no service on 8th/9th between Alvarado and Main/Spring).
• 70, 71, 76, 78, 79, 96, 378, 484, 485, 490, 714, 770 - via 6th/5th, Main/Spring, 16th/Venice (no service on Grand/Olive south of 6th/5th).
• 81 - via Washington, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa/8th /9th Hill between Washington and 6th/5th).
• 83, 90, 91, 94, 794 - via 6th/5th, Main/Spring, 16th/Venice (no service on Hill south of 6th/5th).
• 439 - via Venice/16th, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa/Flower/Grand or Olive between 6th/5th and Venice/16th)
• 442 - via Washington, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa between Washington and 6th/5th).
• 444, 446, 447, 460 - via Washington, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Figueroa/Flower between Washington and 6th/5th)
• 40, 42, 45, 740, 745 - via Venice/16th, Main/Spring, 6th/5th (no service on Broadway between 6th/5th and Venice/16th)
•  

For route and schedule information patrons can call 1-800-C-O-M-M-U-T-E or visit www.metro.net. Metro apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause to its patrons.

People: Just stay home and watch the event on television, folks. Might be the best way to avoid road rage on your downtown drive.

Roll Into Summer

Time to roll down the windows and hit the road.