Dear Honorable Secretary Chao,
Today, I am writing to request action and draw attention to the Confluence Chokepoint Relief Program, an effort to improve the confluence of State Routes 57 and 60. This is a transportation project of extreme importance to Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties, the Southern California region, and the United States.
California State Routes 57 (SR-57) and 60 are one of the most heavily used freeways in the state. The interchange is used by over 100 million vehicles annually and traffic is only anticipated to grow. The American Transportation Research Institute in 2019, ranked the Confluence as #4 most congested nationally and the confluence has been ranked #1 for freight delays and truck accidents in California.
This is a project that has been a priority of residents, elected officials and regional transportation officials for over a decade and has the opportunity to significantly improve the traffic flow and increase the quality of life for residents living in the area. This project will also help lower traffic accidents and fatalities as well as increase the average speed of traffic on this stretch of roadway.
Our local communities throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties feel the brunt of the current traffic situation daily. They routinely see their surface streets packed with cars escaping the congestion of the 57/60 interchange, experience unnecessarily long commutes, traffic accidents, and deaths. This project can drastically increase their quality of life.
Additionally, the confluence of these two heavily trafficked highways sees a steady flow of freight that passes to and from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For example, the 60 Freeway carries approximately 30,000 trucks a day. Our hospitality industry, hotels, and restaurants depend on the timely movement of these goods. The Confluence Chokepoint Relief Program will allow for increased access for small businesses across the country and support America’s domestic and international commerce. Allowing freight to flow smoothly through this confluence will be beneficial not only for our local communities but also for the country.
I understand the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is applying for a competitive grant through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. The approval of this grant would help towards the completion of this project and unlock matching funding from the State of California and give the people of the region the relief they have long sought.
I would also ask that you prioritize any other possible funding from the Department of Transportation that would be available for this project. Additional funding will allow this longstanding project to continue and allow the safe movement of individuals and goods through the confluence. As I have previously stated, the return on any investment made on this project will greatly benefit the people of Southern California and the United States.
Young Kim,
Former Assemblywoman, California’s 65 District