Caltrans will repurpose nearly 360 miles of existing lanes into a camera-enforced, permit-only Games Route Network (GRN) to prioritize travel for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and staff during the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The plan converts current lanes—often HOV lanes—rather than adding new lanes, and includes signage, striping, signal and electrical upgrades, smart cameras, CCTV and ATM-style gantries. Affected corridors span Los Angeles and Orange counties, with limited work on I-5 in San Diego County; enforcement could include fines up to $300 and Caltrans lists 2027 as the target completion year.
Caltrans Converts Nearly 360 Miles Of Lanes Into Camera-Enforced 'LA28' Permit Network For 2028 Olympics
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The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced a major upgrade to the Games Route Network (GRN) ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games: nearly 360 miles of existing lanes will be repurposed into a camera-enforced, permit-only network to prioritize travel for athletes, coaches and event staff.
What Caltrans Is Changing
Rather than adding new capacity, Caltrans will reassign current lanes—often existing HOV lanes and selected on-street lanes—so only vehicles with GRN permits can use them during the Games. Designated lanes will be painted blue and marked with "LA28" signage.
Planned Infrastructure Upgrades
The improvements include:
- New pavement striping and roadside signage
- Upgraded traffic signals and strengthened electrical systems
- Installation of smart cameras, CCTV and wireless communications
- ATM-style gantries and enforcement hardware
Coverage And Timeline
The GRN will span from the Sepulveda Basin north of central Los Angeles down to parts of San Diego County, touching major freeways and state routes across the region. Caltrans currently lists 2027 as the target year for completing these roadway improvements; more detailed schedules and exact locations will be posted on the agency website as planning progresses.
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Where Work Is Planned
Los Angeles County: SR 1, SR 2, SR 37, SR 91, SR 164 and freeways I-5, I-10, US-101, I-105, I-110, SR-134, I-210 and I-405.
Orange County: SR 55, SR 57, SR 73, SR 91 and freeways I-5 and I-405.
San Diego County: Planned work limited to segments of I-5; specific locations are not yet published.
UCLA transportation researcher Juan Matute told KTLA5: "They're not making extra lanes. They are taking existing lanes and restricting public use of those lanes. There will be some on-street lanes, like Sunset Boulevard by UCLA where the [Olympic] Village is, and many lanes on freeways—often converted HOV lanes that will be fitted with cameras that automatically determine which vehicles have permits."
Enforcement And Penalties
Enforcement will rely on the new smart cameras, CCTV and wireless systems. Violations of the permit restrictions could result in fines up to $300.
Why This Matters
Los Angeles is a widely dispersed, car-centric region where congestion can cause major delays. The GRN is designed to ensure credentialed participants can reach events reliably without building new lanes—prioritizing predictable travel for the Games while minimizing changes to overall highway capacity.
For the latest maps, timelines and permit details, consult the Caltrans website as project planning advances.
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