Streets to Close in Advance of Debut for Concert Hall

Commuters in downtown Los Angeles can expect more traffic and delays in the next two weeks as the city prepares for the dedication and grand opening of Walt Disney Concert Hall, city transportation officials said Thursday.

The closings will include:

* Grand Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets today through 6 a.m. Oct. 28. Grand will be closed between Temple and 3rd streets for the hall’s opening galas next Thursday to Oct. 25.

* 1st between Hope and Olive streets will be shut for dedication preparations from 6 a.m. Sunday to 3 p.m. Monday. That stretch of 1st will again be closed next Thursday to Oct. 25 from 2:30 p.m. to midnight.

Local access to Grand will be available between 2nd and 3rd streets.

“People will be able to get in and out of their businesses and residences between 2nd and 3rd Street on Grand during the closure,” said Ali Mahdavi, a transportation division engineer in charge of special traffic and emergency operations.

During the times streets are closed, commuters are urged to take alternate routes, which include Sunset Boulevard and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue to the north, 2nd and 3rd streets’ tunnels to the south, Main or Spring streets to the east, and Figueroa Street or Beaudry Avenue to the west.

Anyone with questions can call Special Traffic Operations at (323) 224-6556.