Project Aims to Improve Traffic Flow and Safety   

 TORRANCE, CALIF., November 7, 2024 – The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), celebrates the completion of a project to improve operational conditions of the Interstate 405 (I-405) freeway mainline and its on-and-off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street in the city of Torrance. The project is designed to improve traffic flow and safety at the 1.2 mile stretch of I-405 located from post 13.3 to 15.8 and at the Crenshaw Blvd. Interchange. 

The SBCCOG provided $86.4 million in funding to Caltrans and $15.3 million to the city of Torrance for the project through Metro Measure R South Bay Highway program funds. Caltrans also provided $12 million in State Transportation Improvement Program funds for the project. Improvements include

  • new north and southbound on- and off-ramps at the Crenshaw Boulevard/182nd Street interchange and interfacing local arterials in the City of Torrance that facilitate speedier transitions onto the freeway,  
  • enhancements to facilitate safer merging onto and off the freeway, and 
  • the introduction of new, protected turn lanes at on-and-off ramps and interfacing local arterials. 

“We are proud to provide funding to support improvements to this stretch of freeway where thousands of South Bay residents begin and end their commutes daily on one of the busiest freeways in the nation,” said Rodney Tanaka, Gardena mayor pro-tem and chair of the SBCCOG. “The addition of auxiliary lanes allows drivers more time to safely navigate merging on and off the freeway, which will cut the risk of accidents, not to mention the stress level of commuters.”  

Since the passage of Measure R in t2008 and Measure M in 2016, the SBCCOG has programmed more than $1 billion in transportation funding for projects throughout the South Bay.

Caltrans is the lead agency for the project. Ortiz Enterprises of Irvine, California was the project contractor. 

“Caltrans appreciates the partnership and investment from our partners at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the city of Torrance, as we complete this important interchange project that is a vital part of the state highway system,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts. 

Additional information can be found on the Caltrans website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-7/district-7-projects/d7-i405-auxiliary-lanes-project. 

ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS:  

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers government agency of 16 cities and the County of Los Angeles which share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the subregion. Within this structure, cities and Los Angeles County maintain the qualities and characteristics that make them unique and independent, while also coming together collectively to address issues of common interest for a greater good of the communities through fostering cooperation, collaboration and innovation. For more information about the SBCCOG visit http://southbaycities.org 

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