The Port of Los Angeles Thursday celebrated completion of a $139 million state Route 47 interchange project intended to reduce traffic congestion, improve roadway safety and provide better access to the waterfront and nearby communities.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday also marked the completion of three nearby community beautification projects totaling more than $18 million.
The interchange project reconfigured connections between the Vincent Thomas Bridge, the Harbor (110) Freeway, Harbor Boulevard and Front Street, helping separate commercial trucks from passenger vehicles and improve the movement of cargo and motorists through one of the port’s busiest transportation corridors, according to port officials.
“I’m proud to deliver these critical infrastructure improvements that keep residents safe, maintain our status as a competitive global trading partner, and build upon our community-led vision to improve the quality of life for the Harbor area,” Mayor Karen Bass said.
The project relocated the southbound state Route 47 off-ramp to Harbor Boulevard from the south side of the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the north side, improving traffic connections to San Pedro and the surrounding waterfront.
Other improvements include reconfigured freeway ramps, new turning and through lanes at Harbor Boulevard and a lane providing direct access to the West Basin Container Terminal.
The changes are intended to improve traffic flow between the Harbor Freeway and Vincent Thomas Bridge and provide safer access to port facilities, the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal, West Harbor, Battleship Iowa and surrounding communities.
The new Harbor Boulevard on-ramp will remain closed in coordination with Caltrans’ Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project, which will close the bridge beginning Nov. 7. The bridge project is separate from the port’s interchange improvements.
“Getting this project across the finish line ahead of the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure is a real accomplishment and a testament to the coordination and planning that went into this work,” City Councilman Tim McOsker said. “It means one less thing for our residents to worry about as we prepare for the bridge closure, while improving safety and access between Harbor Boulevard and the 110 Freeway.”
The port secured more than $73 million in grant funding for the interchange project from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Caltrans, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“This project is about keeping people and cargo moving safely and efficiently through one of the busiest transportation corridors in our Port complex,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “I’m especially proud of our Engineering and Construction teams for their vision and hard work in delivering improvements that will benefit our Port and surrounding communities for years to come.”
The $10.5 million Front Street Beautification Project added a 22-foot-wide landscaped area and multiuse path along the north side of Front Street adjacent to the West Basin Container Terminal, officials said.
The approximately $1 million Front Street West Project added improvements on the west side of Front Street at Pacific Avenue.
The $7 million North Gaffey Street Beautification Phase II Project added landscaping and a multiuse path along the east side of Gaffey Street between Gatun and Channel streets. It also included improvements to the Caltrans Park and Ride site at Channel Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 10.2 million container units and generated $301 billion in trade in 2025, according to port officials.