This Time, the Rail’s Really Ready

Nearly two years after the $2.4 billion Alameda Corridor was declared complete on time and on budget, the last portion of the 20-mile rail system has finally opened.

The Pacific Coast Highway grade separation in Wilmington opened up on March 5, ending eight months of traffic hassles endured by the 33,000 commuters who use the road daily.

The nearly three-story bridge, part of Pacific Coast Highway, connects Terminal Island to Wilmington. The Alameda Corridor rail line, connecting the ports with downtown Los Angeles, runs under the bridge. During construction, drivers on PCH were re-routed around the project area, causing frequent delays.

Completion of the project eliminates the last of what were about 200 at-grade conflicts along the corridor.

Each of the others was alleviated during construction of the main project, but the PCH grade separation wasn’t part of the original Alameda Corridor plan. Officials with the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority decided to add the bridge to ensure that the corridor would not have any at-grade conflicts with automobile traffic.

No businesses had to shut down during construction, ACTA officials said.

David Greenberg