President Obama's visit snarls traffic on L.A.'s Westside

Navigating rush-hour traffic on Los Angeles' Westside, which is never an easy task, was even worse in some areas Monday evening as streets were blocked off because of a visit by President Obama.

Obama arrived in Los Angeles for a fundraiser at the home of "ER" and "The West Wing" executive producer John Wells and his wife, Marilyn.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, also are expected to attend.

The Los Angeles Police Department said it had received a number of calls from people about the traffic but had not been given information on street closures from the Secret Service.

On Twitter, motorists reported that traffic was at a standstill in Hollywood and the Miracle Mile. Others reported that Olympic Boulevard was closed in Beverly Hills.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Photo: President Obama. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Dave Wyman]

Traffic in my neighborhood, South Carthay (near Olympic and Crescent Heights Blvds.) is still a mess, at 8 p.m., at least two hours after the president's motorcade passed by. Cars are rolling over the pavement on our street non-stop.

I feel for the motorists stuck in their cars. I had a great time, though, standing on the curb on Olympic, having gotten there easily enough - and back home - on my bike.

[Michael, MPA]

I just want to know what moron scheduled this so that all major e/w streets were closed for 7-10 miles and for about 3 miles n/s. Total and absolute gridlock. NO ONE is that important, especially when no offical business is being conducted. As usual, Democrats have absolutely no common sense. Then again, when you have a tenant in the White House whose never had a real job, and who has never been an "average" person, common sense doesn't factor in too often. I will NEVER vote for a Democrat again if this is how they are represented.

[Chris Miss]

Where's that hope and change?

[Sam]

I was stuck in this traffic and missed a doctor's appointment. I have never seen anything like this in Los Angeles. Complete gridlock - no one knew where to go. I know this is petty, but it infuriates me that thousands of us are inconvenienced, with NO warning, so that Obama can have dinner with a rich Hollywood producer. Couldn't they do Sunday Brunch? I support the Prez, but he owes LA an apology. Here's a tip: DO NOT COME TO LA DURING RUSH HOUR AND CLOSE OUR MAJOR ARTERIES. YOU WILL LOSE FRIENDS VERY QUICKLY.

[Lifelong Democrat]

This was unacceptable. I have never seen such a traffic horror caused by a Presidential visit and, yes, I've lived in three major cities. Bad luck for me that I live so close to the location - took me three hours to go under four miles. Note to Obama's people - Street maps exist. Typically you can easily deduce from said maps where the traffic trouble-spots are. TIP: Do not schedule a location SMACK in the center of them. If you cannot read a map properly, please consult a local official, preferably one who owns or has a friend who owns a car.

[What in the world?!!]

Seriously, can't believe so much of the city screeched to a halt for this. Incredibly frustrating/annoying/ridiculous. Have some common sense and consideration people!!!

[Adam]

If any of you thinks that Obama actually wanted to inconvenience anybody, you're crazy. The Secret Service is notorious for overdoing security, even overruling the president in some matters. Can you blame them? What if something happened to Obama? Then everyone would blame them instantly.

I know being stuck in traffic sucks, but take a deep breath.

And to those who say they won't vote for Obama because of this, grow up. Your vote should be based on more important considerations than spiteful feelings from a longer commute. Have a beer, smoke a joint, and get over it!

[charles]

Stop complaining! Where were all of you during the 8 years of roadblocks from Bush. He caused traffic even when he wasnt there. So, next time have a better STRATEGERY!

[Uncommon Sense]

Just wonder if the Hollywood Elites are taking Obama to task wrt his comments and subsequent backtracking on the Mosque in NYC (Near Ground Zero). All they have to do is stop the flow of campaign contributions..they will be heard! Yes, what he says is fundamentally true in the ideal world BUT we don't live in an ideal world! The families of the victims should have the last say and it seems a majority of Americans are against the Mosque for obvious reasons BUT Obama is 180 degrees polar opposite to public opinion. When is this guy going to wake up? Not in 2010, 2012 or his lifetime!

[Mom of Three]

This was really scary - how each human became simply a piece of data for the secret service to move around, or not, at will. I saw a baby screaming in its carseat as the dad driving was totally stuck, going 2.1 mph. My little daughter in the car with me had to go to the bathroom so bad I parked illegally and let her go under a tree. Took 2 hours to go 2 miles. How could they treat us like this. I'm really mad at Obama. He looks bad now.

[albert]

My wife is stuck on Olympic in Beverly Hills and she is being told that she will have to stay there until 9:30pm. I cannot understand how this can be happening. She literally cannot get home for 4 hours.

[Angry people]

After a dog-tried day work, I am suck on the road for hours with nothing to EAT!!!!!! I am not feeling well. Is it necessary to block so many roads at a time?? While you are enjoying your dinner at luxury resturant, I have no food to it on my way back home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BBlair]

I am outraged that the president has chosen rush hour to travel through LA, and that law enforcement has not adequately routed traffic elsewhere. Obama has single handedly alienated hundreds of thousands of voters leaving them stranded for hours, unable to get in my case a few blocks. I finally left my car illegally parked in a permit only neighborhood just to get home. If I get a ticket, I will most certainly contest it. It's very hard to understand the total lack of respect for the working class here.

[charles]

Poor Angelenos...Got snarled up in a bit of traffic for a couple of hours? Put things in perspective you spoiled brats. There are people in the world who wait for hours just to get water. Better yet, appreciate that the prez even wants to visit this city and believe me, he wasnt here because of you spoiled brats.

[Fed Up With Obama]

This was the worst traffic jam ever.

As usual- this administration is complete amateurs. The LA Traffic Cops were totally uncoordinated- probably because they had no information until the last minute.

[Denis]

What a horrible mess. I live in Miracle Mile, this is insane. Just do that damn fundraiser on a weekend.

[Steve]

That's it, I'm done. I even voted for him, but now I'm convinced that I'll vote for anyone but him in the next election. If this is how he handles something as mundane as a visit to Los Angeles, I have zero confidence in his and his team's ability to navigate the complex issues facing the country today. Who's the incompetent who figured it was OK to shut down Santa Monica and Olympic during rush hour? And how about the radio traffic reporters who said that they couldn't tell listeners which streets were closed because of "security." Someone should lose their job over this...in addition to Obama in 2012.

[PM]

This is COMPLETELY unacceptable and inappropriate. However, this planning of his appearance shouldn't be a surprise to many - it's basically how the White House has been managing the nation - with disregard to its base support.

[Cris Wright]

I just sat in traffic for 3 hour and I live 3 miles from work. I am so annoyed that this wasn't handled properly.

[Doug Ruggles]

Aw, hell no! This situation is a ten turd log jam. Either plan your fundraising dinners outside of rush hour or give us viable and speedy public transportation.

[Kathryn]

Mr. President - you owe the reidents of Los Angeles an apology - completely unacceptable.

[wdc]

absolutely abysmal. No warning, streets shut down. My daughter has spent 2 hrs. getting from Century City to Miracle Mile. Exhausted and angry, and almost out of gas. For an ##ing fundraiser? For those that are pointing fingers: Bush was here in Bel Air for a fundraiser, and traffic was shut down, without warning, for 3 miles in a circle. Ridiculous. The secret service and the City of LA should get their stuff together when some head of state heads here. there is no excuse for this, and the democratic party and John Wells should be apologizing.

[merryjoe]

Obama took a helicopter.

[Tom]

A million people can't get home tonight, and for what? So a tiny group of fundraisers can kiss Obama's butt for a few minutes? Tonight Angelenos learn what this President thinks of them. We are all nowhere near as important, trying to get home to our kids from our jobs, as the President's fundraiser.

This isn't the first time it's happened either, but by far the worst. When he was here for Boxer's thing a few months back that was a traffic disaster as well. He really needs to stay the hell out of this city unless he can take his chopper to the event.

[IrateMotorist]

This was the single worst traffic mess I've ever encountered. Worse the the L.A. Marathon or any other motorcade I've witnessed. The fools who arranged this should be fired! Obama will lose so much goodwill from the tens of thousands of motorists who were stuck in the snarl of traffic. All for what? A benefit for wealthy celebrities in Hancock Park. Ever hear of a helicopter? Could have flown from LAX and landed at Paramount Studios and walked to the damn house. People were crying, confused, in near panic over this. No planning. No mention of the route. Utter, utter, stupidity. I might vote for Sarah Palin just because of this night.