A $22 million federal stimulus grant project is underway at the Port of Los Angeles this week, which will result in improvements along a 1.3-mile stretch of Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington, Calif.

Harry Bridges Boulevard, part of the National Highway System, connects John S. Gibson Boulevard with Alameda Street, and is the main truck route from San Pedro and Wilmington to State Route 47.

Although the project will widen Harry Bridges Boulevard, the street will remain a two-lane highway in each direction with the capacity to increase to three lanes in each direction to accommodate future traffic demand.

The project is the first grant awarded to the Port of Los Angeles through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Harbor Commission President Cindy Miscikowski and Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., were all on hand Monday to celebrate the new project.

"This project will improve public safety and keep America's freight moving," said Villaraigosa. "The City of Los Angeles is grateful for this federal funding to keep one of America's busiest gateways safe and we look forward to additional stimulus funds being granted to our city."

The venture will include improvements along Harry Bridges Boulevard from Lakme Avenue to Figueroa Street. It will involve grading, utility relocations, construction of concrete walks, gutters, driveways, traffic signals, fire hydrants, street lighting storm drainage, signage, landscaping, irrigation and fiber optic infrastructure. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2012.