Cherry Avenue to be Widened from PCH to 19th Street, Construction to Last 4 Months

Work will begin this week on the widening of Cherry Avenue from 19th Street to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), in the City of Long Beach south of Signal Hill. The cities of Signal Hill and Long Beach have worked closely together to bring this project to fruition. The project’s $6.7 million budget is entirely funded by Federal Highway Administration and State Transportation grants received by the City of Signal Hill.

“I’m proud that we are working collaboratively with the City of Signal Hill on this important project,” said Mayor Robert Garcia, City of Long Beach. “Not only will it benefit commuters and residents in both cities, it will also improve and beautify our infrastructure.”

The City of Signal Hill has taken the lead role on the funding, planning, and construction of this important project that will greatly improve the overall traffic flow through the intersection of PCH and Cherry Avenue while also reducing cut-through traffic in the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

“The project is a great example of our ongoing partnership with the City of Long Beach” said Mayor Edward Wilson, City of Signal Hill.

Improvements include the addition of two new travel lanes from south of PCH, by 330 feet, to 19th Street, as well as a new dual-use lane for southbound traffic going straight on Cherry Avenue or turning right at PCH in addition to the existing right-turn-only lane.  The project also includes demolition of old concrete paving, a new traffic signal, improved storm water drainage and new asphalt paving.  A new center landscaped median is also planned along Cherry Avenue from 19th Street to 20th Street.

Hours of construction will be limited to weekdays from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Lanes on Cherry Avenue will need to be reduced to one lane in each direction from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to 19th Street during the next four months. It is recommended that motorists use alternative routes in lieu of driving through the intersection of PCH and Cherry Avenue. 

Both cities are working closely with Long Beach Transit to minimize impacts to bus patrons, as Cherry Avenue is used as a bus route. Long Beach Transit encourages customers to plan ahead for possible delays due to construction by taking an earlier bus or looking for alternative bus routes.

The Cherry Avenue widening project is expected to take four months to complete. For more information, please contact the City of Signal Hill Public Works Department at 562.989.7351 or visit www.cityofsignalhill.org, which contains a link to up-to-date project information, including recommended detours.

Meanwhile, the City of Long Beach is continuing to work on Cherry Avenue street improvements between Ocean Boulevard and PCH. This project also has been coordinated with the City of Signal Hill, and is expected to be completed on schedule in March 2015.