City officials announced Monday the completion of a $51 million ramp reconfiguration project in Wilmington aimed at making it easier to merge onto and off the Harbor (110) Freeway.
Officials said the work improves traffic at what has long been a choke point near the Port of Los Angeles, on roads traveled by both residents and drivers hauling cargo.
Councilman Joe Buscaino said he was relieved that the reconfigured ramps, as well as a “key intersection in Wilmington” are now re-opened, adding that the improvements “will help relieve some peak-hour traffic bottlenecks in this busy West Basin area.”
The Port of Los Angeles funded about $30 million of the project’s costs, with the rest coming from L.A. Metro and the state and federal governments.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said the road reconfiguration will be good for port business, and for the rest of the community.
“One of the port’s main priorities continues to be improvements in our infrastructure, and that includes roadways around the port,” Seroka said. “Reducing congestion and improving traffic flow is a win-win for business, as well as residents and commuters who regularly travel this route through Wilmington.”
Changes were made to the C Street northbound off-ramp to provide direct access to Harry Bridges Boulevard, which used to be known as the C Street exit.
The C Street northbound on-ramp, which was “modified,” and the Harry Bridges Boulevard and John S. Gibson Boulevard were realigned.
The Harbor Freeway ramp/C Street/Figueroa intersection was also combined with the John S. Gibson Boulevard/Harry Bridges Boulevard/Figueroa Street intersection.
The redesign adds to another recently completed road project — worth $46 million — in San Pedro that added a lane to the SR-47 (Terminal Island Freeway) connector to the I-110 and modified the John S. Gibson Boulevard freeway ramps, also to improve traffic flow.
— Wire reports