Nearly 30 years after the Northridge earthquake led to the collapse of a portion of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, Angelenos again find themselves dealing with detours, alternative transportation options and headache-inducing longer commutes, as another section of the 10 Freeway is shut down indefinitely after sustaining significant damages from a probable arson fire.
Just as in 1994, when Angelenos watched to see if then-Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan would get the collapsed freeway rebuilt quickly, residents of greater L.A. are looking to Mayor Karen Bass to demonstrate leadership in getting the 10 Freeway near downtown L.A. reopened as soon as possible.
An estimated 300,000 people use the 10 Freeway daily, relying on it to get to and from work and school, and to help transport goods to and from the ports of L.A. and Long Beach to the rest of the country.
How Bass responds to this moment could potentially become a defining moment of her administration.
“Isn’t this a wonderful test for her? We’re all going to find out her ability as a leader. … This is a great opportunity for her to show leadership and to rise to the occasion,” said veteran political consultant Joel Fox.
Many credited Riordan for getting the collapsed 10 Freeway near Culver City rebuilt in record time after the Northridge earthquake – a feat which even Bass alluded to after fire damaged the freeway over the weekend.
Under Riordan, the destroyed part of the 10 Freeway was rebuilt in 66 days.
Fox, who was policy director during Riordan’s gubernatorial campaign in 2001, recalled his former boss using the earthquake recovery effort as a major talking point while on the campaign trail.
“He used his leadership role in fixing up the freeway as a prime example of his effectiveness,” said Fox, adding that how Bass handles the current Freeway 10 closure could become a campaign talking point – good or bad – should she decide to run for reelection or any other office in…
Read the full article here