Oscar Red Carpet Roll-out - Photo

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Street Closures Expand as Crews Finish Last Minute Oscars Preps

Street closures in effect leading up to the Academy Awards
Watch David Begnaud's Report

Rudy Morales, left, helps glue sections of the red carpet together while other workers install a rain canopy in front of the Kodak Theatre ahead of the Academy Awards. (Los Angeles Times / February 26, 2011)

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KTLA News

8:23 p.m. PST, February 26, 2011

HOLLYWOOD (KTLA) -- Crews in Hollywood are spending much of this wet and stormy Saturday evening putting the final touches -- and deciding whether to keep the roof on the red carpet -- on the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

Golden statues lining the entrance outside the Kodak Theater on Hollywood Boulevard are still covered and tarp still adheres to the red carpet to keep it pristine for Sunday's big event.

And the big question is -- will this wild weather be kind to Hollywood's elite?

Cold temperatures are expected to mar this year's festivities and, as of Saturday night, KTLA is being told that there are no plans to add heat lamps or other warming devices to the red carpet.

"There are a lot of changes to the red carpet this year," John Lewis, Awards Arrival Production Manager told KTLA. Lewis claims the change in creative direction will rid the red carpet of its iconic shrubbery, the bleachers are deeper for better viewing of the preshow production and celebrities must pass through an elaborate arch before stepping on the carpet.

And his advice to the stars? "Bundle up, baby!"

• Hawthorn Avenue between Highland and Orange.
• Streets and sidewalks in the areas of Highland, Orange, Franklin and Hawthorn avenues.
• Metro red line trains will bypass the Hollywood and Highland station. They'll resume regular service at 6 a.m. on Monday.
• Hollywood Boulevard is expected to reopen Tuesday.

For full information on the closures, visit www.oscars.org/closures.