*Traffic nightmare

In case you haven't heard, the northbound 405 is a parking lot over the Sepulveda Pass, thanks to a crane overturning right at the 101. Firefighters worked for about an hour to free the operator, who was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center. All northbound lanes have been closed as a precaution, and video from the scene shows a solid mass of cars backed up all the way to the Westside. As of 2:30, our LABO vantage point at the corner of Moraga and the 405 shows northbound traffic is pretty much stopped (and Sepulveda is clogged as well).

*Update (3:20): From video shots at the scene, there doesn't seem to be much progress in moving that crane. Meantime, traffic is backed up all the way to about Jefferson. Not that I need to remind anyone, but the 405-101 intersection is one of the busiest in the nation. The crane was being used as part of a roadway expansion project. Earlier estimates were that lanes could open by 5 p.m., but that looks like a guess at this point.