Hotels Offer Weekend Escape From ‘Carmageddon’

As the 405 Freeway closed in Los Angeles, the party was just beginning in the desert.

“We came here knowing that ‘Carmageddon’ was coming,” said Tim Boucher. “When you’re in L.A., you got to come to where it’s fun. Palm Springs is where it’s at!”

A 10-mile stretch of the 405 shuts down on Friday midnight and will remain closed for 53 hours. Crews plan to blow up the Mulholland Dr. Bridge, which is needed to widen the freeway.

“It’s time. It’s due,” said George Suarez, who commutes to work via the 405. “We have a lot of people moving in the area, and all the jobs are there.”

Sienna Weaver received e-mails from Southwest Airlines warning her about the expected traffic.

“I fly for work two to three times a week. So, I fly out of all these different airports, and they [Southwest Airlines] sent me an e-mail saying it’s going to be really busy and traffic’s going to be bad,” she said.

To entice Angelenos in avoiding ‘Carmageddon,’ several Coachella Valley hotels advertised special promotions with discounted rates and $25 gas cards.

Some general managers told News Channel 3 the promotional response has been mild.

Ace Hotel, in Palm Springs, saw a 5% increase in booking this weekend.

“We dropped about $100 off our rates,” said General Manager Jason Dibler. “If people wanted to stay extra days, we dropped it even more.”

Many L.A. residents decided to stay home and to touch it out through the traffic.

But, not Sienna Weaver. She knew better.

“The romping’s just beginning,” she said, with a smile.