Netanyahu Visits Southland, Jams Streets

Originally posted at 10:58 p.m. March 5, 2014.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the Southland today, causing a five-mile traffic backup on the southbound Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu Canyon Road and the Santa Monica (10) Freeway because of restricted access to Carbon Canyon Road in Malibu in connection with his visit.

The congestion on Pacific Coast Highway was not scheduled to subside until about 11 p.m., according to Los Angeles police. Motorists were told to expect delays of up to 90 minutes.

Netanyahu attended the premiere of an Israel tourism film Tuesday night at Paramount Studios, then flew to Northern California, where he signed an agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown in Mountain View to develop joint projects and conduct mutually beneficial research in California and Israel.

Netanyahu will conclude his Southland visit Thursday with a speech at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance on important issues affecting Israel and world Jewry, including the Middle East peace process.

Motorists can expect delays Thursday on Santa Monica Boulevard between the San Diego (405) Freeway and Melrose Avenue between 8 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Pico Boulevard between Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills and Castello Place in Los Angeles will also have heavy traffic because of the visit to the Wiesenthal Center.

Congestion is also expected on the San Diego Freeway between Wilshire Boulevard and the Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway until 12:45 p.m. as Netanyahu leaves the Southland.

--City News Service