Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) construction on Wilshire Boulevard has led to mid-day traffic congestion in the Miracle Mile this week, as crews are putting the finishing touches on the bus-lane project.

City workers put the finishing touches on Wilshire Boulevard on Tuesday. Work will continue in some areas through October. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

When completed, the project will bring dedicated curbside bus lanes from downtown Los Angeles to La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards during peak traffic times — from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The goal is reduce commute times for bus riders.

“Wilshire Boulevard is the busiest bus route west of New York City, and it’s one of the busiest east-west routes period,” Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, said during the project’s groundbreaking in January.

The city of Los Angeles is handling the construction on behalf of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Workers are reconstructing the curbside lanes and repaving.

Tonya Durrell, spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Public Works, said there is still work to be done throughout the entire project area, aside from the 1.8-mile stretch from Park View Street to Western Avenue, which was completed this past summer.

“However, we are nearly complete,” she said.

Durrell said workers will pour concrete at Wilshire and Crenshaw boulevards this weekend and next;  the middle lanes will be closed during those times. She said traffic on Crenshaw Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Asphalt work will occur from Plymouth to Crenshaw boulevard until Sept. 22, from Crenshaw Boulevard to Wilton Space from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3 and from Wilton Place to St. Andrews Place from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10.

“The middle portion of the project has activity from now until Oct. 8,” Durrell said. “However, the contractor does not expect to have any activity in the area for TARFEST.”

The ongoing work on Wilshire Boulevard, from Ridgely to Cloverdale avenues will be completed by Sept. 29, she said. The construction from Curson to Spaulding avenues will be finished by Oct. 8. Additionally, workers will pour concrete on Wilshire Boulevard, from Masselin to Curson avenues, on Oct. 5. That will only impact the curb lane, Durrell said.

“With all things construction related, timing is dynamic,” she added.

Durrell suggested that interested residents visit www.wilshirebrt.com for updates.