PORT OF LOS ANGELES MOVES FORWARD WITH FEDERALLY FUNDED HARRY BRIDGES BOULEVARD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — January 21, 2010 — The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners today approved a $17.7 million dollar contract to Sialic Contractors Corporation (dba Shawnan) of Downey, Calif., for the construction of roadway improvements along a 1.3-mile segment of Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington. The project is federally funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, through the State of California’s Department of Transportation (Caltrans). It is expected to create more than 250 local construction jobs.
The $21 million Federal stimulus grant is the largest ARRA grant awarded in 2009 to any project in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from the approximately $340 million transportation fund awarded by formula to local governments. The Port continues to pursue more than $300 million in additional Federal stimulus funds for a variety of infrastructure improvements and emission reduction initiatives.
“The Harry Bridges project will benefit the Harbor Area, while providing jobs at a critical time,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “This project will ease traffic congestion, enhance public safety and improve access to the TraPac container terminal.”
The street improvements along Harry Bridges Boulevard, from Lakme Avenue to Figueroa Street, will include site demolition and removals, grading, utility relocations, and construction of concrete walks, concrete and asphalt concrete paving, concrete curbs and gutters, driveways, traffic signals, fire hydrants, street lighting, storm drainage, signage, pavement markings and striping, landscaping, irrigation, and fiber optic infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin in March 2010.
Harry Bridges Boulevard, which is part of the National Highway System, connects John
S. Gibson Boulevard with Alameda Street, and is the main truck route from San Pedro and Wilmington to State Route 47. Although the project will widen Harry Bridges Boulevard, the street will remain a two-lane highway in each direction with the capacity to increase to three lanes in each direction to accommodate future traffic demand.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars.
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