101 Freeway reopens after hours-long closure

STUDIO CITY, CA (CNS) - A man perched on the edge of an overpass prompted an hours-long closure Friday of the Hollywood (101) Freeway in Studio City, snarling afternoon traffic for miles.

Authorities were notified about 1:35 p.m. that the man was on the Lankershim Boulevard overpass, Los Angeles Police Officer Jack Richter said.

Both sides of the freeway were closed as the man moved from side to side, police said.

Firefighters below the overpass set up three air bags, which they scrambled to move as the man shifted his position, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The northbound freeway was closed at Lankershim Boulevard, while the southbound side was closed at Vineland Avenue.

Northbound traffic backed up to downtown Los Angeles as the afternoon commute got underway, according to SigAlert.com.

The man was taken into custody about 5:10 p.m.