A nearly 100-year-old downtown Los Angeles tunnel that is frequently featured in car commercials, music videos and films, including "Blade Runner," has been closed since Wednesday, after tiles had fallen from the walls and were found strewn along the road, city officials said Friday.
The City Council on Friday approved an emergency motion to spend $500,000 to hire two contractors to remove the fallen tiles and other debris from the Second Street Tunnel, and to perform any required restoration.
Bureau of Engineering investigators also discovered that some tiling and concrete along the walls of the tunnel were coming loose, according to the motion.
City transportation officials say they are hoping to re-open the tunnel by Monday. The tunnel was blocked off to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic to allow for "emergency repairs," according to a transportation department Twitter message.
The 1,500-foot-long tunnel is known for its distinctive use of white tiles, which reflects the tunnel's light, causing a bright glow. It is frequently used in car commercials and has been the site of a fashion show and an Oscars after-party. The tunnel was used prominently in Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" music video, and has also appeared in "The Terminator," "Kill Bill," "Flashdance" and other movies.
