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Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the I-10 Freeway construction site in Los Angeles County, CA to provide updates on the ongoing response and repair work alongside Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and additional officials. The Vice President highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic funding for infrastructure, thanked the hundreds of union workers who quickly repaired I-10, and pledged to continue delivering investments for communities across California and throughout America.
On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the I-10 Freeway construction site in Los Angeles County, CA to join Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Alex Padilla, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other local, state, and federal officials to announce the I-10 freeway would reopen before Monday morning rush hour traffic due to urgent action and collaboration just eight days after the fire. The Vice President highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic funding for infrastructure, thank the hundreds of union workers who quickly repaired I-10, and pledge to continue delivering investments for communities across California and throughout America.
“The work that happened here is extraordinary. It was possible with the will and ambition of the workers on the ground, and their commitment as public servants and as union members to get this done and deliver for the people of Los Angeles,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “This is the kind of work that is happening around the country – where hard working men and women, carpenters, laborers and government workers, are rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Thank you to those workers for your commitment to the country.”
“What began as months has turned into days — before Angelenos hit the road on Monday, we’re opening the 10 back up, said Governor Newsom. “Thanks to the tireless work of Caltrans and union construction crews and with help from our partners — from the Mayor’s office to the White House — the 10’s expedited repair is proof and a point of pride that here in California, we deliver.”
The Biden-Harris Administration took immediate action in partnership with state and local partners after a fire brought a section of I-10 to a halt. In less than a day, the Federal Highway Administration’s Administrator Shailen Bhatt was on the ground coordinating with state and local counterparts. The Biden-Harris Administration swiftly approved the state’s request for $3 million in emergency funding to offset initial costs. The Vice President also spoke with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss how to expedite reopening the freeway.
On Friday, Mayor Bass stood alongside Downtown business owners and leaders to announce financial support and resources now available for businesses impacted by the 10 closure. Under the Mayor’s direction, the Economic Workforce and Development Department launched a micro-enterprise grant program. Applications are open until midnight on December 10. Also, the City’s Business Source Centers are assessing and surveying businesses in the immediately impacted and plans to direct the establishment of a proactive Local Business Assistance Resource Center that will open in the nearby area to serve as a one-stop shop for resources and support to businesses impacted by the closure.
“The 10 will be safe to drive on weeks ahead of schedule because of urgent action and collaboration at all levels of government. When we work together, nothing can stop Los Angeles,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Right when this happened, I heard from our state and federal partners that they would let nothing stand in our way. The White House and the Governor’s Office not only lived up to that promise, they helped us exceed all expectations. Today is proof of locking arms delivering real results for the people of this city.”
The joint press conference came two years after President Biden and Vice President Harris brought Democrats and Republicans together to enact the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a once-in-a-generation investment in roads and bridges, ports and airports, public transit and passenger rail, clean water infrastructure and removing lead pipes, and increasing access to affordable, high-speed Internet. This historic legislation includes the largest investment in America’s roads and bridges since the creation of the Interstate Highway System during the Eisenhower Administration.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering transformative results for people across America. This includes $33 billion in funding for California with over 1,100 specific projects already identified. In the two years since President Biden signed this legislation into law, more than $24 billion has been announced just for transportation projects in the state. This means funding for roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports throughout California.
As repairs continue over the coming months, the public should expect some temporary closures on occasional weekends and overnight, along with intermittent lane closures.
The 10 Freeway fire began on a site rented by Apex Development, Inc. (Apex). Two months prior to the fire, Caltrans sued Apex, seeking to remove the company from the leased property for failing to pay its rent and subletting the property without authorization. A hearing is set for early 2024 in that lawsuit. Apex was responsible for maintaining the fenced-off site while they continued to assert rights under the lease. CAL FIRE’s investigation into the fire — suspected to be arson — remains ongoing. A person of interest has been identified and members of the public are encouraged to provide any leads or tips, which can be sent anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov.
