HOLLYWOOD (CNS) – All lanes were closed on Hollywood Boulevard near the Dolby Theater Thursday as preparations for the 96th annual Oscar Awards ceremony were in full swing.
The busy street was closed between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue early Thursday morning and will remain completely closed until 6 a.m. March 13, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The closure will allow for the installation of auditoriums and red carpets leading into Ovation Hollywood’s theaters.
The Oscar ceremony is scheduled for March 10th at 4 p.m.
Some sidewalks and roads in the area had already been closed as preparations began earlier this month. Additional closures are expected starting Sunday, including the closure of lanes on Hawthorne Avenue south of Hollywood Boulevard and a portion of Hawthorne Alley behind the El Capitan Theater.
You can check the full road closure here.
On March 9, the day before the show, Orange Drive north of Hollywood Boulevard will be closed, as will the longer Orchid Alley north of Ovation Hollywood.
On Oscar Sunday, motorists should prepare for a number of additional restrictions, including an extended closure of Hollywood Boulevard, including the entire stretch between El Cerrito Place and Cahuenga Boulevard. The Ovation Hollywood Metro B (Red) Line station will be closed all day on Oscar Sunday, and trains will be detoured through the station. Subway bus routes along Hollywood Boulevard will be rerouted during the road closure.
The following closures are scheduled for Oscar Sunday:
March 10th from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. March 11th:
–The remainder of Hawthorne Alley from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue.
— Orange Drive from Hollywood Boulevard to Lanewood Avenue.
— North sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard, from Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue. No pedestrians allowed.
— Pedestrian access is 8 feet from Hollywood Boulevard South Sidewalk, Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue.
— On the south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard, directly in front of North and South Hawthorne Alley. Pedestrians are prohibited from entering crosswalks.
— Sidewalk and curb lanes on the east side of Highland Avenue from Yucca Street to Sunset Boulevard. 8-foot pedestrian access (south of Hollywood Boulevard only).
–Extending the west side sidewalk closure of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard.
— West curb of Highland Avenue, from Johnny Grant Way to Hollywood Boulevard until 9 a.m.
From 4am on March 10th to 4am on March 11th:
— North and south crosswalks at the Highland Avenue intersection of Hollywood Boulevard.
— Highland Avenue from Sunset Boulevard to Franklin Avenue.
— Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea Boulevard to Orange Drive.
–Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Cahuenga Boulevard.
The following facilities will be closed from 4 a.m. March 10 to 4 a.m. March 11, except for local residents, business access, and emergency vehicles.
— Hawthorn Avenue between Orange Drive and La Brea Boulevard.
— Hawthorne Avenue between Highland Avenue and McCudden Place.
— McCudden Place between Yucca Street and Hollywood Boulevard.
— Yucca Street between Highland Avenue and Wilcox Avenue.
— Wilcox Avenue between Sunset Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard.
— Restrict access to streets that terminate at or intersect with Hollywood Boulevard.
