Wilmington : Port Plans Approved

The Board of Harbor Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved long-range plans to ease truck congestion near homes, upgrade the Avalon Boulevard commercial strip and reserve 40 acres of waterfront for public use.

The plans were devised during the past year by a task force formed by Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores to combat community problems. Port officials, community representatives and members of the city Planning Department and Redevelopment Agency serve on the task force.

The commissioners agreed to build a four-lane highway along C Street leading into the port from the Harbor Freeway. They also will construct a landscaped buffer between the new highway, which will serve as a truck route, and a two-lane street serving residents and local traffic.

The commissioners also approved plans to set aside 40 acres near the Cerritos Channel for recreation once oil wells on the land are depleted. Another plan calls for the port to allocate land on Avalon Boulevard between B and C streets for commercial projects.

The port-approved plans will be incorporated in the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan, which is being prepared by the city Planning Department. The commissioners did not include a timetable or deadlines for the various plans.