POLA Receives Port Infrastructure Grant

POLA — On Oct. 21, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Port of Los Angeles a $9.88 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant. The funding will help pay for construction of improvements at the heavily traveled interchange at Harbor Boulevard/Front Street and the Vincent Thomas Bridge (State Route 47) in San Pedro.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka stated that support for this federal grant came from all levels of government.

These improvements to the U.S. Department of Transportation or USDOT designated National Highway Freight Network include new and improved on-ramps and off-ramps, thus improving 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.

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 Port of Los Angeles is designing the project — and will construct it — in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation or Caltrans, District 7..

The interchange directly serves two marine terminals that handle approximately 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.U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the award Oct. 15. Instrumental backers at the national level include Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán. Representative Barragán represents California’s 44^th and San Pedro and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard from California’s 40^th District.