A plan to shut down the Barham Boulevard off-ramp of the Hollywood Freeway is upsetting local homeowners, The LA Times reports. The ramp closure would make room for the massive $1.6B expansion project NBCUniversal has planned for Universal Studios, the highlight of which is a Harry Potter attraction. The closure would force locals to exit at Lankershim Boulevard, already less than pleasant, or Highland Avenue, which can be a nightmare with the Hollywood Bowl.
The Times reports that a new offramp is being built for park patrons to exit easily, avoiding the residential areas. The massive expansion plan is supposed to take some 25 years and include hotels, 2M SF of office and production development and several other theme-park attractions.
