Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

405 closure: Westside businesses to go about their business (NBC LA)

NBC offers a fresh take on the 405 close in July, straight from the mouths of the local business owners who will be affected. These locals feel that not only is the media overreacting, but that local politicians dire warnings to “stay away” could hurt business. In fact, the media blitz has already hurt business. According to one local leader Brentwood Village has seen a 40% drop in traffic since the closure announcement.  On behalf of local businesses near the 405, here’s a reminder: the 405 will be closed the weekend of July 15-17, and only that weekend.

In Transit: From S.F. to L.A. via public transportation (S.F. Weekly)

If you’ve got the time, make sure to read this story (it’s a long one). Inspired by a San Francisco transit blogger who figured out a public transit route from San Francisco to L.A., S.F. Weekly writer Joe Eskenazi decided to undertake the journey. Now, when I say public transit I don’t mean long-distance transit like Amtrak or Greyhound – that’s easy – what Mr. Eskenazi undertook was a journey of connecting local transit lines. That’s a bit harder. The trip duration: 32 hours. Number of transfers: 14. But the fascinating people and stories along the way made the unique road trip worth it. Here’s a link to a map and pictures from the journey.

High-speed rail poised to alter China (N.Y. Times)

China’s high-speed rail construction is in full swing. The entire system – a 10,000 mile network (!) – is scheduled to be completed by 2020. Just like in the U.S., the system is not without controversy – there are worries about the system’s cost and fares. But unlike the U.S., the system is actually being built, and it’s being built with the promise of a bright future.  The Times compares China’s high-speed rail investment to that of the U.S. Interstate Highway system, and expects it to have a similar boon to the Chinese economy.