After years of demonstrators repeatedly shutting down freeway traffic around downtown Los Angeles, Caltrans has installed large metal swing gates onto freeway ramps ahead of this weekends “No Kings” protests.
Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol finished installing swing gates early Friday morning on Los Angeles Street ramps at downtown Los Angeles along the 101 Freeway, according to Lauren Wonder, a public information officer for Caltrans District 7.
These gates can be closed by California Highway Patrol officials when deemed necessary to restrict both vehicle and pedestrian entry to help ensure public safety, said Wonder.
The gates are supposed to allow California Highway Patrol to manually block access points to the freeway.
“Anytime the gates are closed is based off the situation that we’re faced with and there will be individuals there to open and close the gates,” said CHP Sgt. Daniel Keene. “This will prevent individuals from going places they don’t belong.”