Overview
- Caltrans is piloting artificial ivy along the US 101 near the Main Street and Los Angeles Street exits in downtown Los Angeles, with work slated to finish this week.
- The new installation was vandalized within hours over the weekend, and crews reported about 90% of the graffiti was cleared by Monday.
- The agency says legal agreements tied to nearby murals prevent it from painting over or removing graffiti at these walls.
- The ivy is installed in 1-by-1-foot panels designed to be removed, cleaned, or replaced and to protect the artworks until muralists can rework them.
- Caltrans cites heavy cleanup spending last year — $336,160 on 318,793 square feet along the 101 downtown and $4.19 million across District 7 — and notes a prior ivy test on the 101 required removal only three times.