Project speeds congestion relief for Wilmington: Agency takes on PCH grade separation. (Alameda corridor).

Moving to speed traffic congestion relief, the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA)has agreed to manage development of the. Pacific Coast Highway (PC H) Grade Separation project in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles.

The ACTA Governing Board approved an agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) calling on ACTA to manage design and construct the project. Since approval of the agreement in July, ACTA has moved quickly to hire firms to assist with project design and construction management.

"Relieving traffic congestion is a top priority in my district, particularly in Wilmington, where residents have suffered for decades with the impacts of trucks on neighborhood streets," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, vice-chairwoman of the ACTA Governing Board. Her 15th Council District includes the Pacific Coast Highway Grade Separation project area. "I can't emphasize strongly enough that I and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority will do everything possible to expedite completion of the Pacific Coast Highway Grade Separation."

ACTA is in the early stages of right-of-way acquisition. An expedited scheduled calls for construction to begin in Fall 2002 and for the project to be completed in Fall 2003.

PCH at Alameda Street will have to be closed for up to a year, ACTA officials estimate. Alternate routes are being carefully considered.

A comprehensive traffic management plan is being developed in consultation with the City of Los Angeles, Caltrans, other public agencies and the general public. ACTA officials emphasize that they will work closely with the community to minimize inconveniences to businesses, residents and the motoring public - for example, by limiting the duration of the PCH closure and by providing detailed notices to the community in advance.

"We realize construction of this project will be a burden to some people, and we intend to do everything possible to minimize any inconvenience," ACTA Director of Construction and Engineering Tim Buresh said. "We ask the public - especially our neighbors in Wilmington - to remain patient and to remember that when the project is completed, cars and trucks will no longer have to wait for trains to pass, significantly reducing traffic congestion."

Design of the Pacific Coast Highway Grade Separation has not been finalized. But ACTA and Caltrans have agreed that the project will carry vehicles on PCH over the Alameda Corridor mainline tracks, Alameda Street and the San Pedro branch of the Union Pacific Railroad on a bridge more than a mile long.

Various grade separation projects in the area have been planned by other agencies for more than a decade but have not been constructed. The PCH intersection with the Alameda Corridor is the only location along the corridor's 20-mile route where train and street traffic will still conflict when the project opens in April 2002.

"The PCH Grade Separation is important to the region, and it is in everyone's best interest that it be completed in a timely manner," ACTA Chief Executive Officer James C. Hankla said.