The Port of Los Angeles has celebrated the completion of the US$ 139 million SR 47 Interchange Project, reconfiguring key connections between the Vincent Thomas Bridge, I-110, Harbor Boulevard and Front Street to reduce traffic congestion, improve roadway safety and enhance access to surrounding residential communities and the LA Waterfront.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the completion of more than US$ 18 million in nearby community beautification projects.
The interchange reconfiguration separates truck traffic from passenger vehicles, improves cargo and motorist movement through one of the port’s busiest transportation corridors, and relocates the southbound SR 47 off-ramp to Harbor Boulevard from the south to the north side of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, improving traffic connections to San Pedro and the surrounding waterfront.
Additional improvements include reconfigured freeway ramps, new turning and through lanes at Harbor Boulevard and a dedicated lane providing direct access to the West Basin Container Terminal.
The Port secured more than US$ 73 million in grant funding for the project from LA Metro, Caltrans, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the US Department of Transportation.
While the interchange improvements are complete, the new Harbor Boulevard on-ramp will remain closed in coordination with Caltrans’ upcoming Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project, which will close the bridge from November 7.
Three community beautification projects totalling more than USD 18 million were also completed alongside the interchange.
The US$ 10.5 million Front Street Beautification Project includes a 22-foot-wide landscaped area and multi-use path along the north side of Front Street adjacent to the West Basin Container Terminal.
The approximately US$ 1 million Front Street West Project beautified the west side of Front Street at Pacific Avenue.
The US$ 7 million North Gaffey Street Beautification Phase II Project adds new landscaping and a multi-use path along the east side of Gaffey Street between Gatun and Channel Streets alongside improvements to the Caltrans Park and Ride site.
