Southern California drivers could find some freeway and roadway lanes off-limits during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as transportation agencies prepare a massive network designed to move athletes and other authorized personnel between venues.

Caltrans is helping develop what officials call the Games Route Network, or GRN, a temporary transportation network that will use existing freeways, highways and local roads throughout the region.

Some Lanes Will Be Reserved for Olympic Vehicles

The Games Route Network is expected to encompass approximately 720 miles of Southern California roadways.

Within the network, dedicated lanes will be designated for authorized Games vehicles, with general traffic prohibited from using those lanes while the restrictions are active.

Temporary signs and pavement markings displaying “LA28” are planned to help drivers identify the reserved lanes.

The network is intended to provide faster and more reliable transportation between Olympic accommodations, competition venues and other important Games locations.

Who Gets to Use the Olympic Lanes?

Caltrans estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 specially marked and permitted vehicles could be part of the Games transportation system.

The dedicated routes are intended primarily for vehicles transporting athletes and other accredited Games personnel. The network is also expected to accommodate buses providing enhanced transit service for spectators and workers.

Rather than building an entirely separate road system, organizers plan to temporarily use portions of Southern California’s existing transportation network.

Caltrans Is Already Preparing for LA28

Planning and infrastructure work for the Games Route Network is already underway.

Caltrans District 7 is leading coordination of the planning, design and implementation of the network on the State Highway System, while other transportation agencies will be involved with portions outside Caltrans’ jurisdiction.

Caltrans has also advertised a contract specifically for Games Route Network improvements ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Olympic Games are scheduled for July 14 through July 30, 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games from Aug. 15 through Aug. 27.

For drivers, the changes could mean temporary restrictions on portions of familiar freeways and roads as Southern California prepares to accommodate millions of visitors and thousands of athletes during LA28.