The city of Torrance and other agencies celebrated the completion of 405 freeway improvements with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 7.
Construction began on the Operational Improvement Project in August 2021 with the goal of alleviating congestion at the Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street interchange while improving safety as well traffic flow at its on and off ramps.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) was the lead agency of the project, which worked in coordination with LA Metro, South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the city of Torrance to make the improvements in the more than one mile segment of the 405.
Elizabeth Overstreet, engineering manager with the city of Torrance, said by phone after the event, that one of the main aspects of the project was widening the 405 from four to five lanes in both directions between 182nd Street and Crenshaw.
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Mayor George Chen gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. View of north and southbound lanes of 405 freeway with re-constructed on and off ramps. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Public Works Director Craig Bilezerian gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. Rodney Tanaka from the South Bay Cities Council of Government gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. Rodney Tanaka from the South Bay Cities Council of Government gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. Rodney Tanaka from the South Bay Cities Council of Government gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. View of new 405 freeway southbound on and off ramps. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Mayor George Chen gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Mayor George Chen gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. View of new 405 northbound on and off ramps at 182nd St. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. View of new 405 freeway southbound on and off ramps at Crenshaw Blvd. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Public Works Director Craig Bilezerian gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
1 of 15
The City of Torrance is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a Operational Improvement Project funded by Caltrans, LA Metro and supported by the SBCCOG. The project rebuilt the on and off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street and the 405 freeway. City of Torrance Mayor George Chen gives remarks. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
There are also improvements with new and safer on-ramps with easier access to the freeway and widening of city streets, Overstreet said.
“The intersection of 182nd Street and Crenshaw Boulevard was widened,” Overstreet said. “There used to only be three lanes in the westbound direction, but now that’s been lengthened to five lanes. There are two dedicated left turn lanes, two through lanes, and one dedicated right turn lane.”
The project budget was $113. 7 million, according to the press release.
The project is part of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, that has a long-term “visioning plan that builds upon and expands land use and transportation strategies established over several planning cycles to increase mobility options and achieve a more sustainable growth pattern,” according to SCAG’s website.
“More than $638 billion in transportation system investments through 2045,” according to the website, which includes Los Angeles County.
“The completion of this project is a major advancement in improving transportation infrastructure in Torrance and for the South Bay region,” said Public Works Director Craig Bilezerian, in a press release. “Our team worked tirelessly with our agency partners to deliver these essential upgrades, which will not only reduce congestion but also enhance safety and reduce travel delays for our residents, visitors, and the broader region.”
More than 40 trees were planted as part of the project’s final phase in the newly constructed northbound loop on-ramp, “which was once a vacant lot at the corner of 182nd Street and Crenshaw Boulevard,” according to a press release.
“The City’s arborist selected a variety of trees, including Canary Island Pine trees, Jacaranda trees known for their beautiful lavender flowers, and Crape Myrtle trees,” acceding to the press release. “This thoughtful selection enhances the City’s green spaces while promoting environmental sustainability.”