Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; along with federal, state, city and Port of Los Angeles officials, broke ground earlier this week on a $22 million Federal stimulus grant project for the construction of roadway improvements along a 1.3-mile segment of Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington. The Port of Los Angeles project is federally funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and is expected to create more than 250 local construction jobs. Construction is expected to be complete in January 2012.
"This project is vital not just for creating local jobs, it is rebuilding the road that connects the Port of Los Angeles to the world," said Congresswoman Jane Harman. "Just as important, it is connecting the community of Wilmington with the waterfront."
This is the first grant awarded to the Port of Los Angeles through ARRA and the largest grant awarded to any "shovel-ready" project in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from the $27.5 billion transportation stimulus fund that provided $340 million by formula to L.A. and Ventura counties.
"I commend the Obama Administration for investing in this critical gateway and bringing much-needed jobs to the community around the Port of Los Angeles," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This project will improve public safety and keep America's freight moving. The City of Los Angeles is grateful for this federal funding to keep one of America's busiest gateways safe and we look forward to additional stimulus funds being granted to our city."