Ramp project gets started

MEDIA DISTRICT WEST — Construction began on Monday for a freeway project almost 10 years in the making.

The $47-million endeavor, which is being funded by Caltrans, will add an onramp to the westbound Ventura (134) Freeway in order to improve traffic flow in a heavily traveled area, said Caltrans spokesman Jeanne Bonfilio.

Economic growth in the Media District is projected to increase already congested traffic patterns, especially during commuter hours, she said.

"It's going to improve access to and from the Media District, help economically and will also improve access to and from the freeway," she said. "It's something that we really feel is going to be beneficial in terms of mobility and relieving congestion."

The new ramp will give drivers access to the westbound 134 from Alameda Avenue, just east of Hollywood Way, she said. Burbank transportation officials realigned the Hollywood Way off-ramp from the westbound 134 in order to make room for the addition, she said.

The need for an improved 134 onramp in the Media District is based, in part, on current traffic infrastructure configurations that do not facilitate easy freeway access, senior planner David Kriske said.

The existing ramp at the northwest corner of Hollywood Way and Alameda, for instance, requires drivers traveling northbound on Hollywood Way or westbound on Alameda Avenue to make a left hand turn in a congested area to merge onto the freeway, he said.

With the new onramp, drivers can access the 134 through a series of right turns, he said.

The existing ramp will remain in place, Bonfilio said.

There will be some temporary lane closures during construction, Bonfilio said. The right lane of northbound Hollywood Way at Alameda and the right lane of eastbound Alameda at Hollywood Way will both be cordoned off for about one month beginning on Monday, she said.

"There will be some lane closures, but no full street closures at this time," she said.

There may also be temporary shutdowns on the 134 after midnight, when the freeway is not heavily traveled, she said.

The project is expected to be completed by 2010.

California Department of Transportation officials will hold a community meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant to offer details of the project to the public and answer questions, Bonfilio said.

McCormick and Schmick's is at 3500 W. Olive Ave.

QUESTION

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