SR-47: Terminal Island Freeway

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Terminal Island Freeway / Ocean Boulevard / Vincent Thomas Bridge / Seaside Freeway
Runs from PCH (State 1) to the 110 in San Pedro over Terminal Island

State 47 is mostly an industrial and port access roadway. It crosses onto Terminal Island in two places, one near San Pedro and the other heading north toward Wilmington. The Terminal Island Freeway portion was originally built in 1947 by the US Navy to upgrade access to the Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach and the Naval Shipyard. Later additions, such as the Vincent Thomas Bridge, were added in the 1960’s.

Alameda St and Henry Ford Avenue are signed as Route 47 between the Terminal Island Freeway and State 91, but it is unclear if this is official Caltrans signage.

Some of the green-out fell off on the freeway where it meets the Harbor Freeway. SR-11 has been gone since about 1984. It is now I-110 north of here. Gaffey Street is SR-110 south of the 47.
Some of the green-out fell off on the freeway where it meets the Harbor Freeway. SR-11 has been gone since about 1984. It is now I-110 north of here. Gaffey Street is SR-110 south of the 47.
Vincent Thomas Bridge, on the deck.
Vincent Thomas Bridge, on the deck.
View of the Vincent Thomas Bridge from the east approach.
View of the Vincent Thomas Bridge from the east approach.
Former toll booths for the Vincent Thomas Bridge from 1999.
Former toll booths for the Vincent Thomas Bridge from 1999. These booths were in many movies, including Close Encounters.
Exit signage for the southern end of the Terminal Island Freeway. 47 and 103 are signed at first.
Exit signage for the southern end of the Terminal Island Freeway. 47 and 103 are signed at first.
View of the bridges leaving Terminal Island on the freeway. Green bridge is the Schuyler Heim Bridge and the bridge to the left is for the railroad.
View of the bridges leaving Terminal Island on the freeway. Green bridge is the Schuyler Heim Bridge and the bridge to the left is for the railroad.
View of the old Badger Avenue bridge before demolition. Photo Courtesy - Caltrans.
View of the old Badger Avenue bridge before demolition. Photo Courtesy – Caltrans.
This sign is on Pacific Coast Highway as it meets the Terminal Island Freeway. 103 ends here heading north but the sign still shows it going north.
This sign is on Pacific Coast Highway as it meets the Terminal Island Freeway. 103 ends here heading north but the sign still shows it going north.
1955 ACSC Map of the Terminal Island Freeway.
1955 ACSC Map of the Terminal Island Freeway.
Signage on Alameda St shows State 47 continuing, but no postmiles or logs show this being correct.
Signage on Alameda St shows State 47 continuing, but no postmiles or logs show this being state maintained.

One thought on “SR-47: Terminal Island Freeway”

  1. It’s interesting that there’s one stoplight at Navy Way that has never been eliminated. From there, it’s freeway in both directions.

    Reply

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