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SR90 Extension Project
Welcome to the Admiralty Way/Via Marina Intersection Improvement Project website, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LADPW). This proposed project would improve the traffic conditions by reducing congestion, improving traffic flow, and increasing capacity at this intersection. The project would also potentially improve air quality, reduce noise levels, and enhance pedestrian access to the marina and coastal areas.

The proposed project is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared to identify and disclose the anticipated environmental effects of the proposed project. LADPW encourages public participation and public comment during this environmental process and throughout the project. There are a number of ways to become involved in the project; details are provided at the bottom of this page. Thank you for your interest!

Project History

In 2006, roadways within the marina and surrounding areas were operating at substandard levels due to increased traffic volumes associated with regional growth and development in the City of Los Angeles and Culver City. Beginning in 2006 and in response to these traffic volume increases, LADPW began the preliminary design and environmental analysis process for two projects that were projected to improve traffic conditions in these areas.

The two projects originally proposed were the SR-90 Extension Project and the Admiralty Way Improvements Project. These two projects were being evaluated under a single environmental document, according to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and CEQA. To this end, an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) was identified as the appropriate document to disclose the anticipated effects of each project. The environmental analysis began in early 2006 with the release of a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Notice of Preparation (NOP) in February. A revised NOP was released in April 2006 to include additional design alternatives for the Admiralty Way Improvements Project. In support of the released NOI and NOP three public scoping meetings were held on March 9, March 18, and May 9, 2006.

The SR-90 Extension Project was projected to improve vehicular access to Marina del Rey by extending SR-90 across Lincoln Boulevard to provide a direct connection with Admiralty Way. This extension would have relieved traffic congestion at intersections along Lincoln Boulevard between Washington Boulevard and Mindanao Way. The project as designed would have realigned one-quarter mile of SR-90 between Mindanao Way and Lincoln Boulevard, and would have constructed a new or improved the existing connector road between Lincoln Boulevard and Admiralty Way. Three different options for this realignment were considered: the “Northern Alternative” crossing a privately owned parcel and Admiralty Way Park and terminating opposite the existing Los Angeles County Public Library; the “Basin F Alternative” crossing the same privately owned parcel and terminating opposite Basin F; and a southern, “Bali Way Alternative,” crossing County owned right-of-way and terminating at the existing Admiralty Way/Bali Way intersection. This project also proposed new traffic signals at the SR-90/Lincoln Boulevard intersection and at the SR-90 Connector/Admiralty Way intersection.

The Admiralty Way Improvements Project was projected to improve traffic flow within the Marina del Rey area, and also improve bicycle and pedestrian access. The project as designed would have altered the entire length of Admiralty Way between Fiji Way and Via Marina. Admiralty Way improvements previously under consideration included modifying the raised median, restriping, widening, creating a triple left-turn configuration at the Via Marina intersection, and/or creating a continuous-loop alignment at the Via Marina/Admiralty Way intersection. These proposed improvements were being considered as stand-alone options.

Since the original scoping meetings for these two projects, changes in regional, state and federal participation, including but not limited to active participation in the engineering and environmental process, regional project prioritization, and funding have all influenced LADPW’s ability to continue the project development process as originally scoped. The proposed projects previously evaluated would have modified approximately three miles of roadway, and would have required currently unavailable participation and funding from local, state, and federal sources. In addition, a number of traffic improvements (click here or see Traffic Improvements link located on the right side of the Information page) have been approved and implemented, which has also shifted the potential need for two projects with the originally proposed scope and features.

Given the circumstances described above, the preliminary design and environmental analysis efforts associated with the SR-90 Extension Project have been placed on hold indefinitely. Additionally, most of the previously proposed Admiralty Way improvement alternatives have been removed from consideration and a reduced scope project is currently being considered. The new proposed project described on these pages is limited to improvements at the intersection of Admiralty Way and Via Marina and would modify less than one-half mile of the roadway.

Previous notices, scoping meeting material and documentation regarding the formerly-proposed projects have been preserved, and are accessible by using the “Project Archive” link located on the right side of the Information page.

Current Project Proposal

Two project alternatives at the Admiralty Way/Via Marina intersection are being evaluated in the draft EIR: the Triple Left-turn Lane Alternative and the Continuous Loop Alternative. Consistent with CEQA requirements a No Action Alternative is also being evaluated and will serve as the baseline for comparison against the proposed build alternatives.

The Triple Left-Turn Lane Alternative would introduce a third left-turn lane from Admiralty Way onto westbound Via Marina. The Continuous Loop Alternative would reconfigure the existing “T” junction of the Admiralty Way and Via Marina intersection and create a continuous loop around the marina. The continuous loop alternative would involve the realignment of Admiralty Way away from the existing “T” intersection with Via Marina into a southward curving intersection. This curved alignment would conform to the Mother’s Beach shoreline alignment and provide a roadway loop around the marina.

Construction of either build alternative could result in environmental effects. Based on resource characteristics and preliminary surveys of the project area, the following potentially significant environmental effects will be addressed in the EIR:

  • Aesthetic impacts from the grading, reduced/reconfigured intersection medians, and landscaping removal.
  • Noise impacts to adjacent sensitive noise receptors resulting from temporary roadway construction and operation.
  • Cultural resource impacts from the grading, excavation and sub-surface improvements to the roadbed and drainage facilities.
  • Public parkland impacts due to the potential relocation of the passive recreation area and monument adjacent to the intersection of Admiralty Way and Via Marina.
  • Traffic impacts: from construction and temporary detours; however, improved traffic flow would have positive results.
  • Water quality impacts from the proposed modification to drainage facilities and construction adjacent to Marina del Rey tidal marina and located within the State Coastal Zone.


Under the No Action Alternative, no Improvements to the Admiralty Way/Via Marina intersection would occur. There would be no change to the existing conditions of the project area.

Environmental Process, Moving Forward!

The Department of Public Works distributed the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Admiralty Way/Via marina Intersection Improvements Project on September 4, 2009. The public comment period for this NOP began on this date, and the comment period will end on October 5, 2009. Two public scoping meetings will be held during the defined public comment period. Attendance at these meetings is encouraged to learn more about the proposed project. To view an electronic version of the released NOP, including the location, date and time of the public scoping meetings, click on the following link (Notice of Preparation). After the NOP public comment period, the Department of Public Works will consider all substantive comments and begin technical study preparation. Once completed, the studies will be summarized in a Draft EIR, which the Department of Public Works will circulate for public review and comment.

How to provide your input

There are a number of ways to become involved with the environmental review process.

1. Stay Informed: The Department of Public Works will update this website regularly regarding the progress of the proposed Admiralty Way/Via Marina Intersection Improvement Project. You can use the links on the left to visit the Information Page where updates will be posted regarding the progress of the project.

2. Sign up: You can use the Comment Page to sign up to the mailing list and to be notified of upcoming project events. As mentioned above, two public scoping meetings will be held to receive input from interested parties regarding the scope and content that should be included in the EIR. Further meetings will be held once the Draft EIR is released for comment, which is anticipated to occur in Summer 2010.