Carmageddon: How L.A.'s Local News Stations Are Covering Freeway Closure

Carmageddon, the July 16-July 17 closure of a busy section of the 405 freeway in the Westside of Los Angeles, is hours away. Local news stations have responded with dedicated websites, special coverage and live reports. Several access ramps to the 405 close at 7 p.m. PT Friday. The highway is scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday.

Tribune's KTLA has a dedicated microsite called "Survive the 405." It features a running countdown until the freeway closure; live traffic updates for the weekend; public transit service schedules; a frequently asked questions section about the closure and Mulholland Dr. Bridge demolition; videos; a "getting around the 405 closure" section; and a guide to where traffic snarls may occur.

NBC-owned KNBC offers a "Carmageddon Survival Kit" that includes maps of detours; construction information; related apps (including one for dealing with Carmageddon angst); a shutdown preview; restaurant and bar deals; and suggestions on local activities, such as a new dinosaur exhibit at the National History Museum, that are happening far away from the action.

Carmageddon coverage is more low key on myfoxla, the website for Fox-owned KTTV and sister station KCOP. The lead story in the "Featured Now" section is "Dire Warnings As Freeway Closure Looms" and there are links to Carmageddon-related stories.

KCBS' website features a bright yellow "405 closure" banner pointing to general information; related stories; a link to sister radio station KNX 1070; and a video report on the bridge demolition that is occurring during the shutdown which features an animated graphic of the plan for the work.

Carmageddon looms large on KABC's website with the entire top fold of the homepage dedicated to the event. There are last-minute updates on construction crew activities, a "what you need to know" photo galery, a construction timeline, a phone app, and a look back at past freeway closures.

The lead story on Univision's KMEX website is "Cierre de la 405 en LA," roughly translated as "closing of the 405 in L.A." The Spanish-language site warns readers to stay off the road early and leave now if travel is necessary in the direction of the closure.