KOREATOWN, MID-CITY TRAFFIC TO BE IMPACTED BY CONSTRUCTION OF NEW POLICE STATION

LOS ANGELES (June 20, 2007)—The City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering reports that work on the new 20th Area Police Station on 1130 Vermont Avenue between Olympic and Pico boulevards will involve lane closures, loss of street parking and traffic delays beginning June 22, 2007.  The work, estimated to last for at least 40 days, is necessary to widen the street and connect sewer lines for the new facility.  Motorists should expect delays. 

From June 22 through early August, up to four lanes in the six-lane street may be closed to traffic, allowing at least one lane in each direction open.  During this time, crews will usually work from 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m.  Trenching to connect new sewer pipes will occur.  The street will also be ground, repaved and widened to relieve traffic on the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue.  The Department of Transportation deemed the junction as one of the ten most congested in the city. 

“The Department of Public Works is committed to building and maintaining our public infrastructure to improve the quality of life of Angelenos,” said Cynthia M. Ruiz, president, Board of Public Works.  “In order for us to complete our work safely and up to the highest standards of quality, we need the cooperation and patience of the residents.  Rest assured that we are doing our best to minimize impacts and complete the work as quickly as possible.”

Construction on the new 54,000 square-foot 20th Area Police Station began in 2005 and will be completed in 2008.  The Public Safety Bond or Prop Q approved by voters in 2002 funds the nearly $35 million project. 

For more information about the 20th Area Police Station construction, please visit eng.lacity.org or call project manager Nassef Eskander at (213) 761-9270.  For questions about the Department of Public Works, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0333, e-mail pao@lacity.org or visit www.lacity.org/bpw.
 
The five-commissioner Board of Public Works manages the Department of Public Works, the City’s third largest municipal division.  The department oversees the construction, renovation, and operation of public projects such as municipal buildings, streets, bridges, street lights, water treatment plants, sewers and sidewalks, and provides essential public services like recycling and solid waste management.