PORT OF LOS ANGELES BREAKS GROUND ON $14.8 MILLION HARBOR BOULEVARD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
New Street Configuration to Streamline Traffic and Reduce Congestion, Pave Way for Planned San Pedro Public Market
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – December 8, 2016 - The Port of Los Angeles joined local officials and community leaders to kick off construction of the Harbor Boulevard Roadway Improvements Project, a reconfigured three-street intersection at Harbor Boulevard, 7th Street and Sampson Way in San Pedro. The street realignment is in preparation of the planned San Pedro Public Market, slated to open in 2020 at the current Ports O’ Call Village site on the San Pedro section of the LA Waterfront.
"The realignment of Harbor Boulevard signifies the beginning of a project that our community has desired for a very long time," said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino. "The redevelopment of Ports O' Call will have a positive ripple effect for the entire Harbor Area community and I could not have asked for a better gift to celebrate the holiday season!"
The realignment will improve both vehicular and pedestrian access with a new traffic signal at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard, 7th Street and Sampson Way, bike lanes, landscaping, outdoor lighting, and walkways. In addition to improved access to the planned San Pedro Public Market, the new intersection will also provide another point for connectivity to other LA Waterfront attractions, such as the World Cruise Center, Battleship IOWA, and Los Angeles Maritime Museum, among others.
"Realigning Harbor Boulevard and Sampson Way is another significant step in a series of projects that will create a prosperous LA Waterfront," said Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi Jr., who kicked off the announcement event. "Once this is completed, we'll be rolling right into the next phase — construction of an all-new Town Square at 6th Street, another waterfront promenade and a new public access recreational boat dock."
"This project is one of many steps being undertaken by the Port of Los Angeles to continue transforming the LA Waterfront into a bustling visitor destination," said Gene Seroka, Executive Director at the Port of Los Angeles. "Preparing our streets to better accommodate both residents and visitors is an important part of our long-term vision, as outlined in our Public Investment Access Plan."
During construction, both Harbor Boulevard and Sampson Way will remain open with partial lane closures from 7th to 11th streets. Once the realignment is complete, Harbor Boulevard will flow into Ports O' Call Village, with direct access to the LA Waterfront. Also, there will be marked crosswalks with pedestrian access and wayfinding cues to provide improved community access to LA Waterfront amenities and the expanded Plaza Park.
In September 2016, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners approved Kiewit Infrastructure West Company’s competitive construction bid for the realignment project. Construction of the new roadway is expected to be completed in 2018 at a total project cost of $14.8 million, paid by the Port of Los Angeles, including $4.9 million in grant funding from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Port of Los Angeles, with miles of public promenade and walking paths, acres of open space and scenic views, the LA Waterfront blankets more than 400 acres of prime waterfront property and boasts historic Los Angeles Harbor landmarks, such as the welcoming Vincent Thomas Bridge and Angels Gate Lighthouse. The Port of Los Angeles funds and maintains the LA Waterfront and has completed more than a dozen beautification and public access projects in the harbor communities of San Pedro and Wilmington that attract more than 1 million visitors annually.