Traffic-Free Experiment on Tonight in Westwood

Westwood Village’s summer experiment begins this evening when traffic will be barred from the shopping and movie theater district from 7:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. in the hope that people will cruise in their cars less and enjoy themselves more.

There may be some initial confusion, it was conceded Thursday by City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, who pushed the plan to ease near-gridlock congestion that has plagued the village on weekend nights. But he said he thinks that folks will not mind walking short distances.

The closure area--generally bordered by Le Conte Avenue on the north, Lindbrook Drive on the south, Gayley Avenue on the west and Glendon Avenue on the east--will be in effect on Fridays and Saturdays at least through the summer and may be extended if the test is considered successful.

Police are authorized to close the area to traffic on Sunday evenings as well if they think it is necessary.

Officials insist that there will be plenty of parking available nearby and at the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard. About 10 officers will be on hand to direct traffic at bordering intersections, police said.