California 47 is a north-south state route that begins at Interstate 110 in San Pedro and extends east to Terminal Island (Port of Los Angeles), then north along Alameda Street to California 91. California 47 connects San Pedro and its cruise ship terminal with Terminal Island, which is home to the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. From Terminal Island, California 47 turns north via the Commodore Schuyler Heim Bridge to cross the Cerritos Channel to return to the mainland. Exiting at Henry Ford Avenue, California 47 joins the Alameda Corridor by following an improved Alameda Street north to the interchange with California 91. The rest of the state highway is unconstructed, but if built, California 47 would continue north along the Alameda Corridor to connect with Interstate 105 and ultimately Interstate 10.
History, Planned Improvements, and Future Aspirations
The state highway begins at its junction with Interstate 110 in Los Angeles, just north of San Pedro. The Seaside Freeway between Interstate 110 and the Vincent Thomas Bridge was opened to traffic on July 9, 1970. Heading east from Interstate 110, California 47 immediately ascends the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which was opened to traffic on November 15, 1963. This four-lane, green-painted, suspension bridge is free; however, it was tolled from 1963 until 2000. The Vincent Thomas Bridge is frequently seen in movies and commercials (and is sometimes referred to in movies, including Al Pacino's erroneous "St. Vincent Thomas Bridge" remark in the 1995 movie Heat).
At the eastern end of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, California 47 has one interchange with Ferry Street (Exit 1B). Between Ferry Street and the city limits, California 47/Seaside Avenue is maintained by the city of Los Angeles. There is one at-grade intersection with Navy Way. Seaside Avenue will change names to Ocean Boulevard upon leaving the city of Los Angeles and entering the city of Long Beach. The city limits is located after the Navy Way traffic signal, where California 47 shifts from Seaside Avenue to Ocean Boulevard.
A new diamond interchange was constructed between Ocean Boulevard and the Terminal Island Freeway; the interchange opened to traffic in 2007. Prior to the construction of this diamond interchange, California 47/Ocean Boulevard, California 47-103/Terminal Island Freeway, and the newly extended Interstate 710 met at a traffic light on Terminal Island. Now, through traffic on California 47 north exits, while Interstate 710 continues east along Ocean Boulevard to cross the Back Channel via the Gerald Desmond Bridge. Upon exiting, California 47 has a traffic signal with Pier S Avenue, then turns north at the second traffic signal to turn north onto the Terminal Island Freeway. No freeway-to-freeway connector is currently planned between Ocean Boulevard and the Terminal Island Freeway except possibly in the context of the replacement of the Heim Bridge.
From this new interchange California 47 heads north along the Terminal Island Freeway and is joined by California 103. The two state highways share alignment between the diamond interchange with Ocean Boulevard and the exit with Henry Ford Avenue and Anaheim Street. Prior to the Heim Bridge, there is a partial diamond interchange with New Dock Street (no access from northbound). California 47-103 then crosses the Commodore Schuyler Heim Bridge. This lift bridge was built by the U.S. Navy and opened on January 10, 1948. The Heim Bridge is slated for replacement due to its inability to withstand a major earthquake. Plans call for a new fixed bridge, coupled with a direct expressway connection from the bridge to the Alameda Corridor, to replace the existing connection via the Heim Bridge and Henry Ford Avenue between the Terminal Island Freeway and the improved Alameda Corridor. Five alternatives are being considered regarding the Heim Lift bridge replacement and proposed "Port Access Expressway," including upgrading Henry Ford Avenue to expressway standards and extending California 103/Terminal Island Freeway north from its current terminus at Willow Street to join Alameda Street. For more, see SR-47 Port Access Expressway.
After crossing the Heim Bridge, California 47 reenters the city of Los Angeles and then departs from the Terminal Island Freeway at the Anaheim Street/Henry Ford Avenue exit. California 103 continues north along the Terminal Island Freeway past California 1 until its aborted end at Willow Street. (Original plans called for the Terminal Island Freeway to continue northeast from Willow Street to merge onto Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway and Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway at their current interchange; now its future is tied to the proposed Port Access Expressway.) Between Ocean Boulevard and Willow Street, spotty signage is posted for California 103, including some signs at the southern terminus of the Terminal Island Freeway and Interstate 710. For our purposes, California 47 and California 103 share alignment between these two points due to the signs for both routes at the Ocean Boulevard interchange, but legislatively, California 103 begins at its split from California 47.
Meanwhile, California 47 turns north on Henry Ford Avenue, which is a regular surface street with several traffic signals. Once Henry Ford Avenue reaches Alameda Street, California 47 turns north along the Alameda Corridor and follows it north. An improved railroad corridor closely parallels Alameda Street; the goal of the Alameda Corridor improvements (built through the late 1990s and early 2000s) was to improve rail speeds and reduce traffic congestion associated with idling cars and trucks at railroad crossings. The parallel section of Alameda Street is built to expressway standards with grade separations between Alameda Street and major intersecting streets, including Sepulveda Boulevard, 223rd Street (which offers connections to Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway), Carson Street, and Del Amo Boulevard. Connections with these intersecting streets is typically offered with two-way connector ramps that are governed by traffic signals.
After the California 1/Pacific Coast Highway interchange, California 47 leaves Los Angeles and enters the city of Carson, then enters the city of Compton. Immediately after entering Compton, California 47 signage ends at the interchange with California 91/Gardena (Redondo Beach) Freeway. A grade separation is in place between Alameda Street and Artesia Boulevard. Once in Compton, state highway signage could continue alongside the improved rail corridor to Interstate 10, since the rail and roadway improvements continue north past the end of signage at California 91. However, some of the features that are seen along California 47 south of California 91 (such as grade separations with major intersecting streets) is not seen. The route of Alemeda Street north of California 47's terminus in Compton is mostly a surface street with some limited expressway features, and the rail corridor is below grade and adjacent to Alameda Street and its frontage roads.
The Alameda Corridor in its entirety from the ports to downtown closely follows the long-proposed but never constructed Industrial Freeway, which was planned to provide relief for trucks traveling from the ports north to the east-west freeways that originate near downtown Los Angeles. The Industrial Freeway was intended to relieve Interstate 710/Long Beach Freeway especially, since it is especially crowded with trucks. The Alameda Corridor improvements have improved truck and rail movements, but since it is not built to freeway standards, it is not nearly as common to find trucks on the Alameda Corridor as it is on Interstate 710. However, most of the improvements involve upgrading Alameda Street to expressway standards, and the Heim Bridge replacement project would more directly connect the Terminal Island ports with the Alameda Corridor expressway improvements.
Highway Guide
California 47/Seaside Freeway north (east)
The southwestern segment of California 47 crosses the Vincent Thomas Bridge between San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles on Terminal Island. This sign used to indicate the cost of the toll to cross the bridge; now it just advises that the bridge is ahead. Photo taken 05/30/04.
This is the first exit signage along northbound California 47 as it approaches Exit 1A, Harbor Boulevard, and it is the first exit along northbound after its southern terminus at Junction Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47 at Exit 1A, Harbor Boulevard. The Vincent Thomas Bridge dominates the skyline in the background, its brilliant green contrasting with the blue waters and gray industry. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47 approaches the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which crosses the waterway between San Pedro and Terminal Island. The suspension bridge connects Terminal Island/Long Beach with San Pedro in Los Angeles. The bridge, which was tolled until 2000, carries California 47 between Interstates 110 and 710. Heading east-west, the bridge is signed north-south. The first two photos show the approach, which includes an exit to Harbor Drive. This bridge is painted green, giving it a unique feel as the gateway to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Photo taken 05/30/04.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge has starred in many movies, since it is the closest suspension bridge to Hollywood. The Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie movie, "Gone in Sixty Seconds," has a chase scene that shows Cage flying over a traffic jam on the bridge. Photo taken 05/30/04.
This is another view of northbound California 47 as it approaches and crosses the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Despite its freeway status, the Vincent Thomas Bridge is too narrow to be Interstate-standard, so routing an Interstate highway over this bridge would require a reduction in the number of lanes to allow for a shoulder or the request for a waiver of those standards. It was another beautiful day in the City of Angels. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47 passes under the second suspension tower and descends from the Vincent Thomas Bridge as it continues due east onto Terminal Island. California 47 exits Los Angeles and enters Long Beach. The next exit is located on the descent from the bridge (Exit 1B, Ferry Street). Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47/Seaside Freeway reaches Exit 1B, Ferry Street, the first exit on Terminal Island. This is the approximate location of the toll booths back from the days when California 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge was a toll bridge. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47/Seaside Avenue north (east)
The next exit along northbound California 47/Seaside Avenue is Exit 2, Berths 301-305 and Berths 401-406. Photo taken 05/30/04.
A traffic signal governs flow between California 47/Seaside Freeway and Exit 2. Photo taken 05/30/04.
At the traffic signal at "Exit 2" to Navy Way and Berths 301-305 and Berths 401-406, it is clear that Seaside Avenue is not built to freeway standards, and the next "exit" is actually a traffic signal. The Interstate 710/Gerald Desmond Bridge is visible in the distance. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47/Ocean Boulevard north (east)
California 47 leaves the city of Los Angeles and enters the city of Long Beach (and the state route changes names from Seaside Avenue to Ocean Boulevard). Interstate 710 detour signage along northbound California 47/Seaside Freeway. Due to construction to upgrade Interstate 710 near its junction with California 1/Pacific Coast Highway, alternate routes have been identified for traffic to avoid Interstate 710. One of those alternates involves using California 47 and California 103 via the Terminal Island Freeway north to Sepulveda Boulevard. Photo taken 03/30/03.
The next exit along California 47/Seaside Freeway north is Exit 3, Junction Interstate 710/Gerald Desmond Bridge north, one-half mile. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Northbound California 47/Seaside Freeway approaching Exit 3, Junction Interstate 710 north. California 47 turns north at this traffic light (which is planned for upgrade to an interchange), while the Seaside Freeway continues straight ahead as one of three freeway spurs that merge to form Interstate 710 in Long Beach. This sign makes it seem as if this spur is the proper Interstate 710, but all three spurs have signs that say Interstate 710 (the other two spurs connect to Downtown Long Beach and the Queen Mary). Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47/Seaside Freeway used to meet Interstate 710 at this traffic signal (now replaced by an interchange). The freeway ahead leads to northbound Interstate 710, while a left turn leads to northbound California 47-103/Terminal Island Freeway. This marks the southern terminus of California 103. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47-103/Terminal Island Freeway north
The Heim Bridge is a lift bridge that sometimes stops freeway traffic to allow for larger ships to pass underneath it. Whenever there is a high vessel crossing underneath, the bridge lifts the roadway to a certain height so that the boat or ship may pass the bridge unobstructed. This results in a drawbridge effect on the bridge, and it is unusual to have this type of delay on a freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
This California 47 shield is found along northbound as the freeway approaches the Heim Bridge. Photo taken 05/30/04.
View of the Heim Bridge as seen along northbound. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47 reenters the city of Los Angeles after departing from Terminal Island. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Although not clearly signed here, California 47 departs its freeway at the Anaheim Street exit to connect to Henry Ford Avenue and Alameda Street. California 47 continues north along the Alameda Corridor all the way to California 91. The freeway continues north as California 103. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47/Henry Ford Avenue north
Now on the transition ramp from the Terminal Island Freeway, the next exit along northbound California 47 is Pier A Way. Photo taken 05/30/04.
The right lane exits onto Pier A Way, and a traffic signal governs the flow to Anchorage Way. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47/Alameda Street north
This California 47 shield is the first reassurance shield along northbound Alameda Street after departing Henry Ford Avenue and the Terminal Island Freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47/Alameda Street approaches Junction California 1/Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) north (west) to Torrance and Lomita and south (east) to Long Beach. Photo taken 05/30/04.
After California 1, California 47 passes under this bridge. Although not visible, the parallel rail corridor continues north on a separate alignment from California 47. Photo taken 05/30/04.
These tall street lights are very uncommon in California, but they are commonly found in Mesa, Arizona. California 47 leaves Los Angeles and enters Carson. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47/Alameda Street cross Sepulveda Boulevard. Sepulveda Boulevard is an east-west street through this part of Los Angeles, even though it is north-south and part of California 1 closer to the airport. Sepulveda Boulevard becomes Willow Street upon entering Long Beach. Photo taken 05/30/04.
For a time, the rail corridor is visible at-grade to the west of California 47. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47/Alameda Street reaches a traffic signal that provides access to 223rd Street (which is the overpass in the background). Photo taken 05/30/04.
Immediately following the 223rd Street overpass is the Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway overpass. Photo taken 05/30/04.
After the Interstate 405 overpass is this ramp from northbound California 47 to northbound Interstate 405 to Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47 reaches Dominguez Street after the Interstate 405 interchange. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Following Dominguez Street is Del Amo Boulevard, which flies over California 47 and the rail corridor via an overpass. At Del Amo Boulevard, California 47 departs Carson and enters Compton. Photo taken 05/30/04.
North California 47 continues along Alameda Street (left two lanes), while the right lane exits onto Santa Fe Avenue. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Many of the California 47 shields and signs, including this one at Santa Fe Avenue, have been tagged by graffiti artists. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 47 passes under this bridge after the exit to Santa Fe Avenue. Santa Fe Avenue is a north-south street that generally parallels California 47/Alameda Street to the east, but they converge briefly at this point. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Most of California 47's bridges and underpasses are concrete, including this one. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Now in Compton, the next intersection is Homestead Place. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Next, California 47/Alameda Street approaches California 91/Gardena (Redondo Beach) Freeway. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Although this looks like an older bridge, it was actually constructed as part of the Alameda Corridor project. Use the left lane to reach the California 91 freeway west. Photo taken 05/30/04.
The older-style overpass of California 91 passes over California 47/Alameda Street. Photo taken 05/30/04.
Northbound California 47 reaches its northern terminus (unsigned) at the intersection with the onramp to westbound California 91. Alameda Street continues north as a non-state facility. Photo taken 05/30/04.
A left turn connects to California 91/Gardena Freeway and Artesia Boulevard. California 91 changes names several times along its freeway route. In Orange and Riverside Counties, California 91 is the Riverside Freeway; in Los Angeles County, is it known as either the Artesia Freeway or Gardena (Redondo Beach) Freeway or just the 91 Freeway. The Artesia Freeway is designated along California 91 from Interstate 710 east to Interstate 5; the Gardena Freeway is designated along California 91 from Interstate 110 east to Interstate 710. The Redondo Beach Freeway designation is shared with the Gardena Freeway designation. Photo taken 05/30/04.
California 103/Terminal Island Freeway south
This substandard freeway signage is for the first exit along southbound California 103 after its origins at Sepulveda Boulevard. Exit 2B is for northbound California 1; Exit 2A is for southbound California 1. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Southbound California 103/Terminal Island Freeway reaches Exit 2A, Junction California 1/Pacific Coast Highway south (east) to Long Beach. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Soon thereafter, California 103 south reaches Exit 1, Anaheim Street. California 103 and California 47 merge together on the southbound Terminal Island Freeway just after this interchange, but the conversion is not signed with "END" or "BEGIN" shields. There is a reassurance marker along southbound just prior to reaching the Heim bridge. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47-103/Terminal Island Freeway south
Southbound California 47-103/Terminal Island Freeway reaches Exit 4, New Dock Street. This is the first exit after California 103 merges with California 47. Just prior to this interchange, California 47/Terminal Island Freeway crossed over the Commodore Heim Lift Bridge. Moviegoers may recognize some of this industrial area around the lift bridge; in fact, the lift bridge can be clearly seen on the section of the "New Jersey Turnpike" portrayed in the movie Being John Malkovich. All of the scenes showing the characters landing alongside the "turnpike" after their trip in John Malkovich's head were in reality landing in a ditch alongside California 47 with some seemingly authentic Interstate shields with the state name. These New Jersey shields would be authentic if the scenes were filmed on a road maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, but the design of that shield is not used on the turnpike. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Trailblazer signage along southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway on Terminal Island near the Vincent Thomas Bridge. At this intersection (which is now Exit 3 since it was upgraded to an interchange in 2007), California 47 turns right onto the Seaside Freeway, heading southwest toward the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway, and California 110/Gaffey Street to San Pedro. Note all of the shipping containers to the left of this roadway. Also note that this sign shows California 47 as heading westbound, which is true in reality, but the route is generally signed as north-south. Along southbound, California 103 is not signed south of the lift bridge, so it is not mentioned on this shield assembly. Also missing here is an Interstate 710 shield pointing left. California 47 turns right here, and continues west toward the Vincent Thomas Bridge. This intersection will be upgraded to an interchange in the future, as this area needs to be upgraded to accommodate the port traffic. Since interstate 710 was only recently extended this far south, an interchange would also make the freeway comply with Interstate standards. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47/Ocean Boulevard south (west)
This reassurance shield along southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway is posted after Exit 3, Junction Interstate 710/Ocean Boulevard north (east) to the Gerald Dsemond Bridge and downtown Long Beach. Upon leaving Long Beach, California 47 reenters Los Angeles. The next exit along southbound California 47 is Exit 2, Navy Way (traffic signal) which links to more cargo berths. The city of Los Angeles signs and maintains the section of state highway near the Navy Way intersection. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47/Seaside Avenue south (west)
The next exit along California 47/Seaside Freeway south (west) is Exit 2, Navy Way to Berths 301-305 and Berths 401-406. Although this is marked as an interchange, there is a traffic signal to allow for turns and no grade separation. California 47 does not regain full access control until the approach to the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway at Exit 2, Berths 301-305 and Berths 401-406. The aforementioned traffic signal is visible in the distance across this viaduct. Once the Seaside Freeway is upgraded to full Interstate standards, the interchange will likely be reconfigured to feature the elimination of the traffic light. Photo taken 03/30/03.
California 47/Seaside Freeway south (west)
After Navy Way, Seaside Avenue upgrades to the Seaside Freeway. Southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway reaches Exit 1D, Ferry Street. This is the last exit along southbound before crossing the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Signs such as this one along southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway herald the approach to Vincent Thomas Bridge. This bridge used to be tolled, and the toll booth was located on the east end of the bridge. Photo taken 03/30/03.
The next exit along California 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge south is Exit 1C, Harbor Boulevard, one mile. Typically, individual communities of larger cities are not identified on freeway guide signs, but an exception must have been made to have allowed for the "San Pedro Next Two Exits" sign. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Southbound California 47/Seaside Freeway reaches Exit 1C, Harbor Boulevard. The next exits are Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway and Exit 1A, Southbound Gaffey Street (Former California 110). Photo taken 03/30/03.
Immediately thereafter, California 47 prepares to end at its junction with Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Southbound California 47 ends here, at the split of the freeway to Exit 1B to Junction Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway north to downtown Los Angeles and Exit 1A, Junction California 110/Gaffey Street south to San Pedro and its cruise ship terminal. Photo taken 03/30/03.
Scenes Pertaining to California 47
This freeway entrance signage is posted on the ramp from California 1/Pacific Coast Highway north to California 103/Terminal Island Freeway north. This sign assembly should technically only have California 103 shields, but it has both California 47 and California 103 signed. Photo taken 03/30/03.
This trailblazer signage is found in San Pedro (a community of Los Angeles) and points the way to Interstate 110 and California 47. The Vincent Thomas Bridge, which is painted green, can be seen just beyond this shield assembly for Interstate 110 and California 47. Photo taken 07/21/01.
