LOS ANGELES, CA — A man climbed onto a sign above the Hollywood (101) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles Thursday afternoon, forcing officers to shut down the busy artery for several hours, leaving scores of motorists stuck in a massive traffic jam.

The unidentified man climbed onto the sign on the Mission Road overpass about 2:05 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The freeway was shut down in both directions and firefighters were summoned, the CHP reported.

Crews positioned airbags beneath the sign in case the man fell or jumped, as firefighters tried to coax him to give up his perch. Two southbound lanes were reopened about 5 p.m. Around 5:30 p.m., the man climbed down a ladder placed by firefighters and was taken into custody by CHP officers, who then set about fully reopening the freeway.