Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images
The California Department of Transportation is developing a special permit-only roadway network for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This "Games Route Network" will allow official LA28 vehicles, including those for athletes, coaches, and officials, to use designated freeway carpool lanes and local streets exclusively.
According to KCAL and KCBS, the network will span 369 miles, with 236 miles on freeways and 134 miles on local streets, connecting the Olympic Village to competition sites across Los Angeles County. Major roads like Sunset Boulevard near UCLA, where athletes will stay, are included.
Juan Matute, a researcher at UCLA Transportation, noted that such an exclusive network was part of the bid to host the Olympics. Eli Lipman, a community advocate, emphasized the importance of consistency for athletes on tight schedules, saying, "If they're late, or if they're not getting the nutrients that they need to perform at the highest level, that's the difference between winning gold and maybe not even qualifying."
The plan aims to keep Olympic traffic separate from regular vehicles, with blue "LA28" signs marking the exclusive lanes. Drivers without permits caught in these lanes could face fines of nearly $300.
The Southern California Association of Governments published a map detailing the network, which is part of broader efforts to improve transportation for the Games. Metro is implementing long-term transportation improvements, including bus-only lanes, bicycle lanes, and enhanced rail stations, to support the Games and provide lasting benefits to the region.
Joshua Schank, a transportation expert with InfraStrategies, suggested that the success of public transit during the 2026 World Cup could reduce the need for the network. "The transit worked. Everything worked," he said, highlighting the potential for public transit to play a significant role in Los Angeles' future.