Tesla Motors Founder Musk, Others Critical Of L.A.'s 405 Freeway

The horrible traffic in Los Angeles is not news to anyone, especially native Angelenos. Bumper to bumper gridlock on the 405 Freeway is a work week ritual that goes unquestioned in the city, and has been the subject of an endless array of criticism and jokes. For Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk however, it's no laughing matter.

In an interview with the L.A. Times, Musk derides the almost laughable traffic conditions that he and countless others must endure every day. He's even stated that he would donate funds to a fixing of the 405 Freeway "as a contribution to the city and my own happiness. If it can actually make a difference, I would gladly contribute funds and ideas. I've super had it."

For those who know about Musk, he is not one to launch hyperbole. When Musk wants something done, he will find a way, as witnessed by the successful completion of the SpaceX (which he also founded) mission to the International Space Station. His opinion of the freeway could not be any lower.

"The 405 ... varies from bad to horrendous," said Musk, who also co-founded PayPal and Tesla Motors. "It just seems people in Los Angeles are being tortured by this. ... I don't know why they aren't marching in the streets."

The city of Los Angeles hired the company Kiewit as its main contractor for renovating the 405 Freeway, and initially Kiewit drew praise for its ability to quickly reopen the 405. Delays have since occurred in the actual completion of the project, which now is expected to not be done until 2014.

"The costs and schedule impacts are the result of the project's overall complexity and the significant challenges associated with multiple unexpected utility and right-of-way issues," the firm said. "Kiewit and Metro are committed to working together to minimize future delays and resolve final costs. We ... are committed to delivering the highest-quality product on the I-405 project."

While Kiewit may see this as being perfectly understandable, other voices in Los Angeles feel that they have already failed miserably. The 405 Freeway project is already past its expected completion date and has long since surpassed its budget expectations.

"This project has been horribly managed," said Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County supervisor and board member of Metro, which is running the project. "The performance of contractors has left a lot to be desired. ... They've shown a complete lack of sensitivity and empathy for the community in which they're doing the work."