Caltrans Installs Swinging Gates on 101 Freeway Ahead of 'No Kings' Protest

The gates are a safety measure to prevent protesters from entering the highway, officials say.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:49am

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Caltrans has installed metal swinging gates at several on-ramps and off-ramps along the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles ahead of a planned 'No Kings' protest on Saturday. The gates are a proactive safety measure to keep protesters off the freeway and prevent dangerous conditions for both pedestrians and drivers, according to Caltrans.

Why it matters

Protests in downtown Los Angeles have frequently spilled onto the 101 Freeway in the past, including during immigration protests in 2025. The new gates are an attempt by authorities to prevent a repeat of those incidents and maintain public safety during the upcoming 'No Kings' demonstration.

The details

The black metal gates swing open and will only be closed if needed. They were installed in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol at the southbound 101 to the Los Angeles Street off-ramp and on the southbound 101 from the Los Angeles Street on-ramp. Drivers can use other entrances and exits before or after Los Angeles Street to reach their destinations. Caltrans says the gates cost around $400,000 and are permanent additions to the freeway.

  • The gates were installed on Friday, March 27, 2026, a day before the planned 'No Kings' protest on Saturday.

The players

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation, the state agency responsible for managing and maintaining the state's highway system.

California Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that collaborates with Caltrans on highway safety and security matters.

Eric Menjivar

A spokesperson for Caltrans.

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What they’re saying

“These gates are a proactive safety measure to ensure individuals do not enter the highway using these ramps, which would create dangerous conditions for both pedestrians and drivers.”

— Eric Menjivar, Caltrans PIO

What’s next

The gates will remain in place as a permanent addition to the 101 Freeway, and will be closed if needed during the 'No Kings' protest on Saturday to prevent protesters from entering the highway.

The takeaway

The installation of the swinging gates on the 101 Freeway highlights the ongoing tensions between authorities and protest movements in Los Angeles, as officials seek to balance public safety concerns with the right to free assembly and expression.