110 Freeway Work to Speed Travel, but Only After Two More Years of Construction
Eric Richardson
Vehicles exit the 110 freeway at 9th Street, one of the ramps being widened as part of a $55 million construction project.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Downtown residents and commuters who use the 110 freeway may have noticed significant construction around the 9th Street off-ramp. The work is part of a Caltrans District 7 project that seeks to “improve [the] flow of downtown traffic by adding lanes, improving the SR-110/10 interchange and several ramp improvements,” according to the state transportation agency.
The construction, which began in early 2010 and is forecast for completion in the spring of 2013, is budgeted at $54.9 million. Where is all of that money going, Downtowners may ask?
Mostly into the widening of the 110 freeway and on- and off-ramps near the interchange of the 10 freeway. The northbound 110 freeway from the 10 to 6th street will be widened to accommodate an additional lane. Southbound on the 110 from Olympic Boulevard to 4th Street will see a similar change.
As far as the surrounding ramps, the on- and off-ramps of 9th Street as well as the off ramps of 8th Street and Olympic Boulevard will each be widened to accommodate an additional lane in attempts to relieve traffic backup. A lane will also be added on the southbound 11th street on- ramp and to the bridges at the 9th street and Olympic Boulevard overcrossing.
Will the benefits of this project outweigh the increase in congestion during three years of construction on one of Los Angeles’ most gridlocked stretches of freeway? According to the Department of Transportation, yes: the expensive project will “facilitate a smoother transition between SR-110 and I-10.”
What do you think? Is this project a solution to Angeleno commuters’ prayers or yet another construction project that means a longer drive in the here and now?
To learn more about Los Angeles’ upcoming and current construction projects, visit District 7’s website or contact Caltrans Public Affairs at (213) 897-3656.
Chris Loos on December 03, 2010, at 11:50AM – #1
"No."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_demand
Guest on December 03, 2010, at 01:24PM – #2
It's a gosh darn shame, the state of the streets and freeway on/off ramps around DT. It's embarassing! Please City, get together and fix this!! What sort of corrupt officials have been withholding the funds to do basic maintainence! Shame! All the plastic tarps don't help things either!
Guest on December 03, 2010, at 02:12PM – #3
On the 110, there used to be this 40 MPH sign for "construction work ahead". The regular commuters blew right by it. The sign isn't there any more. I had no idea if CALTRANS got sick of replacing it or if construction was halted.
LAofAnaheim on December 03, 2010, at 10:52PM – #4
I bet we'll get the same headline again in 5 years about how to "reduce traffic" by adding more lanes. Widening lanes have never proven to relieve traffic........NEVER.
Guest on December 04, 2010, at 05:00AM – #5
It is better then having no road, the traffic will be better after construction done.
www.optimawat.com
Guest on December 04, 2010, at 07:34AM – #6
What we neeed is another freeway, one that connects the 10 to the 2...
Oscar
David McBane on December 04, 2010, at 03:16PM – #7
Guest 1 - Freeway on/off ramps are Caltrans' responsibility and if you haven't noticed, the state has been running a deficit for years. Where do you think officials cut when they don't have enough money? They start with cutting maintenance.
Guest on December 04, 2010, at 08:10PM – #8
To David McBane: What about all these "adopt a highway" signs I see from time to time?
I believe this is where private companies (or people) fund clean-up of a stretch of highway.
Might something like this work around DTLA? Driving along the 110 dosent have to be depressing. We could put in some greenery and landscaping to make it actually look like a world class city upon approach.
Has anyone seen how beautiful the drive is in to Downtown San Diego? Lots and lots of greenery. I would think that AIG would be JUMPING to get the area around them looking better.
Guest on December 04, 2010, at 08:47PM – #9
No 5, one of the participants at a recent forum on downtown's future (whose panel included Eli Broad and Tim Lieweke of AEG) mentioned that the first impression people have of Los Angeles is not a positive one. He said something about how they approach the city from various freeways, and how unkempt and grimy those freeways are. I'd go one step further and say the view people have not just of our freeways but also many of the rumpled areas all around those freeways is not very pleasant too.
People managing the affairs of the city for too long have been seemingly oblivious to such things. It's as though they've been peering at Los Angeles through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars. Time to switch them around.
Simon Hartigan on December 05, 2010, at 04:34PM – #10
LoL@ driving cars in a downtown city. Yes, cars are the solution we sought for... haha. Forget about the freeway and focus on subway/lightrail expansion along with sprucing up our local streets making them more pedestrian and bike friendly. The last thing Downtown LA needs is more cars.
LA Streetblog (@lastreetsblog) on December 06, 2010, at 08:23PM – #11
Great column...it's so rare to see anyone wonder if the cost of construction, in congestion created, is worth the time saved later on. Good work.
Scott Mercer on December 07, 2010, at 08:38AM – #12
The best chance at getting people out of their cars and into public transit is to partially or fully subsidize monthly passes for people who work Downtown. (And there are a lot of them.) The cost should be borne partially by the employers and partially by city, county or state governments.
LAofAnaheim on December 07, 2010, at 09:56AM – #13
The best chance to get people to alternatives is for companies to stop giving employees "free parking".
Guest on December 07, 2010, at 12:05PM – #14
One weekend some drivers were so fed up on the southbound 110 (around south pas) they made a U-turn on the freeway!!!
Marino Pascal on August 03, 2011, at 01:11PM – #15
The improvements (if any) will instantly be wiped out by the new stadium.