Gridlock Grips L.A. on Holiday Getaway Day

Getaway gridlock set in across Southern California on Friday, as travelers scrambling to take advantage of the unusually long Fourth of July weekend clogged airports, parking lots and freeways.

The crush of passengers at Los Angeles International Airport--compounded by construction on Sepulveda and Century boulevards--caused long delays for motorists trying to reach LAX via the Century and San Diego freeways.

The good news is that the worst is behind us. Although LAX is expecting 200,000 passengers a day through Tuesday--up from the 165,000 passengers on an average day--airport spokesman Tom Winfrey said Friday is always the busiest day of any holiday weekend.

“It’s the getaway day,” he said. “[But] what’s important to note is that we think the whole summer is going to be a busy time, so the advice about leaving early and leaving oneself enough time is wise to observe. This will be the busiest summer ever.”

Simone Arden, 31, awaiting a flight from Los Angeles to Toronto on Friday afternoon, said she doesn’t think high gasoline prices will do much to deter motorists this Fourth of July weekend. “Because the economy’s so good, people are still traveling, even though the fares are higher,” she said.

Arden and her husband, Roger, were among the unlucky souls whose employers didn’t designate Monday a paid holiday. About half of California businesses will close shop Monday, according to Juan Garcia, research director for the Employers Group, a Los Angeles human resources association.

The Ardens instead opted to dip into their reserve of personal holidays, taking a half-day off Friday and a full day off Monday so they could visit friends in Toronto. Roger Arden, 32, said the timing of the holiday worked out perfectly. “Since it’s on Tuesday, even though you burn a day, you get a four-day weekend,” he said. “It’s easier to make it a travel holiday.”

The couple will return Tuesday night, meaning they’ll most likely miss out on the fireworks shows--”unless we see them from the plane,” Simone said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Richard Perez said traffic was moving as smoothly as could be expected Friday afternoon. But he cautioned drivers to leave extra time for the drive and take plenty of rest stops. “A lot of times the hot weather and all the activity can make you sleepy,” he said. “So take a break when you need one.”

He recommends a 20-minute rest for every three hours of drive time.

With so many motorists driving at slow speeds and towing trailers with boats and other gear, this weekend could be especially dangerous, particularly near the coast, officials said. As a result, the CHP instituted a “maximum enforcement period” at 6 p.m. Friday--as it does every holiday weekend--meaning all available officers will be on duty until midnight Tuesday.

Motorists traveling in both directions of the Golden State Freeway, between California 138 and the Kern County line, should be prepared for traffic delays due to ongoing bridge repair work, Caltrans officials said.

Portable electronic message signs will be placed along the interstate to alert drivers about the partial closures and alternate routes, officials said. (To check on the status of your planned route, call Caltrans’ frequently updated information line: [800] 427-7623.)

Burbank Airport was also bracing for a deluge of travelers this weekend. Airport spokesman Victor Gill said he expected several thousand more passengers than the 13,000 that pass through on a typical weekend day. To cope with the crowds, travelers should arrive early, travel light, carry photo identification and park in remote lots, Gill said.

At Van Nuys Airport, the FlyAway bus terminal parking lot was filled early Friday. But airport manager Selena Birk said all services will be operating normally. (Drop-offs are welcome at the bus depot at Woodley Avenue and Saticoy Street. Buses run between Van Nuys and LAX from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.)

John Wayne Airport was emptier than usual, though. Airport spokeswoman Nghia Nguyen said 51% of the airport’s users are business travelers, so on holiday weekends, “We get less passengers than we normally get.”

At least one traveler at LAX Friday got a longer vacation than he bargained for. Chip Cenci had planned to take a week off from his job at an Internet firm to visit Miami over the Fourth. But about three weeks ago, he was laid off. He tried to change his flight, to no avail. To add insult to injury, he was bumped from his morning USAir flight, which he said was overbooked.

“I never heard it being this crazy [on July 4],” he said. “I always thought it was your typical holiday. People are saying it’s worse than Thanksgiving.”

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Times correspondents Catherine Blake and Ana Beatriz Cholo contributed to this story.