The Office of Design B hosted a gathering at District 7 Headquarters on October 20 to recognize a joint venture between District 7 and developer IDS Real Estate Group (IDS). Caltrans staff and representatives from IDS turned out to enjoy some cake and celebrate their partnership on a project that will reduce congestion, improve operations and enhance safety on the Harbor Freeway (SR-110) in Downtown Los Angeles. The $55-million project will add a northbound lane, widen southbound lanes, reconfigure ramps and widen collector-distributor roads. Construction will begin in January.

IDS is contributing funding for ramp work and a new public road. The ramp work involves realigning and reconstructing the northbound 9th Street off-ramp, which is near IDS’s L.A. Metropolis project, a mixed-used tower complex on a six-acre parcel along SR-110. The new road will connect 9th Street to L.A. Metropolis. Work should wrap up in summer 2013.