Posted on October 27, 2020
A $9.9 million grant awarded to the Port of Los Angeles by the U.S. Department of Transportation will help pay for construction of improvements at the heavily traveled interchange at Harbor Boulevard/Front Street and the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, port officials said Wednesday.
Planned improvements to the DOT-designated National Highway Freight Network include new and improved on-ramps and off-ramps to facilitate access to/from I-110 and the Vincent Thomas Bridge; elimination of a congested weaving section on the existing eastbound off-ramp; and improvements to the intersections on Harbor Boulevard/Front Street, including a new signal at the new westbound ramp terminus.
According to a statement issued by port officials, the project “will significantly reduce delay, accidents and emissions at the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere and in state-designated `disadvantaged/low income communities.”’
“The interchange directly serves two marine terminals that handle about 5% of all containerized goods to and from the U.S. Likewise, it is an essential link in the larger infrastructure network of the L.A.-Long Beach trade gateway, which handles nearly 40% of all imports to the U.S. and 25% of all U.S. exports.”
The Port of Los Angeles is designing the project, and will construct it, in collaboration with Caltrans.
“Support for this federal grant came from all levels of government,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation, including its Maritime Administration, the members of Congress who represent the Port and state and local leaders, for recognizing the urgent need to modernize this critical junction of the National Highway Freight Network.”
This project is also being supported and funded by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, via a request for funding through the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Metro is providing $41.2 million, of which $37.4 million is for the construction phase, port officials said.
Source: mynewsla
