Los Angeles, home to nearly 4 million people, has long struggled with traffic congestion due to its heavy reliance on cars for transportation. However, with the city set to host the 2028 Summer Games, Mayor Karen Bass is determined to tackle this issue head-on.
One of Bass’s most ambitious plans involves restricting vehicle access to any venue hosting a sporting event during the two-week Olympic period. This means that attendees will be required to utilize public transportation instead. To accommodate this shift, Los Angeles plans to expand its public transportation system, which is currently less robust compared to other major US cities. In fact, the city aims to borrow over 3,000 buses from other cities across the country.
This idea of a “no-car Games” is a departure from Los Angeles’ car-centric culture. Mayor Bass acknowledged this, stating, “We’ve always been in love with our cars. But we’re already working to ensure we can build a greener Los Angeles.” By promoting the use of public transportation during the Olympics, the city hopes to encourage residents and visitors alike to adopt more sustainable transportation practices.
To successfully mitigate traffic congestion, Bass believes that creating a strategic partnership with major employers in the city is crucial. She proposes staggering work hours, a practice that was implemented successfully in the past when technology was less prevalent. Additionally, there may be discussions with certain employers about the possibility of remote work for the duration of the Games.
However, Bass acknowledges that essential workers will still need to commute to work during the Olympic period. Despite this, she believes that by limiting the number of vehicles on the road to essential workers only, traffic flow will be significantly improved. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, where remote work became more prevalent, can serve as a reference point for managing traffic during the Games.
In terms of venue locations, the 2028 Games’ organizing committee has selected various iconic sites. SoFi Stadium, the home of the Rams and Chargers in Inglewood, California, will host swimming competitions. Gymnastics events will be held at Downtown Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, while track and field events will take place at USC’s Memorial Coliseum.
Other events will be spread throughout Los Angeles County, with Long Beach serving as the venue for artistic swimming, marathon swimming, water polo, handball, rowing, and the triathlon. Surprisingly, the equestrian competitions will be held in Temecula, located about 85 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. This decision highlights the city’s efforts to showcase different regions of Southern California during the Games. Softball and canoe slalom, however, will be held in Oklahoma City, over 1,500 miles away.
Overall, Los Angeles is taking proactive measures to address its notorious traffic woes ahead of the 2028 Summer Games. By implementing restrictions on vehicle access, expanding public transportation, and collaborating with major employers, the city aims to create a more sustainable and efficient transportation system. Through these efforts, Los Angeles hopes to leave a lasting legacy of a greener and more accessible city long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.
