Jenna Bordelon
MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- A new onramp at Hollywood Way, headed west onto
the Ventura (134) Freeway, is a lot closer to becoming a reality after
the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted 7-0 to provide needed
funding for the project.
According to an MTA press release, people who live and work in the
area around the proposed ramp will see a decrease in traffic congestion.
"Movement is kind of constrained," City Planner Paul Deibel said.
"These improvements will make it easier for traffic to merge into the
freeway from both Alameda and Hollywood Way."
The city has been working on the project for the last 7 to 8 years,
Tague said. In 1998, the city received $8 million from the Integrated
Transportation Improvement Program.
With the vote taken Thursday, $179.7 million of state monies could be
allocated to Los Angeles County of $250 million for the state. Of that,
6.3 million has been recommended for the 134 project.
The total cost for the project however, is estimated by the MTA to be
around $18.3 million. The city will have to come up with the additional
funds.
The money will come from the Redevelopment Fund from transportation
fees the city has charged new developers, Tague said.
"This project is one of our fully funded projects," Community
Development Director Bob Tague said. "I think access throughout the media
district is confusing." Construction may begin as early as 2002, Deibel
said, and will probably take less than a year.
The city is also planning to move the existing westbound offramp 76
feet to the east. Residents living in a city-owned apartment building
near the construction, may need to be relocated, Tague said.
"We're just very happy that we're getting the funding from MTA," he
said. "We've done a lot of traffic improvements that continue to enhance
traffic flow and protect neighborhoods."
The Western Avenue interchange on the Golden State (5) Freeway at the
Burbank/Glendale border is another project on the front burner at the
MTA. The board recommended spending $14.5 million to extend the Flower
Street offramp going north and also extend Air Way to connect with the
Western Avenue onramp to reduce traffic.
