The Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission approved a plan Tuesday to build a “Green Wall” demonstration along the Terminal Island Freeway that will create a buffer between West Long Beach neighborhoods and the daily Port traffic that uses the road.

Built from recycled mulch, this wall will help improve air quality, provide sound mitigation and lessen visual blight. Trees and vining plants will also be planted along the wall as well to provide added support. This demonstration will be built along the west end of Hudson Park, and costs only a fraction of a similar wall made from brick. The Harbor Commission agreed to pay $180,000 towards the project, which will add 600 feet of green wall to the already constructed 30 foot-long section built with funds pulled together by 7th District Councilmember James Johnson last year.

“This is a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to remedy a situation that should have been corrected long ago,” Johnson said.

Tests will be performed on the wall by the Port and City before consideration of extending the project in more directions. The Terminal Island Freeway runs from Willow Street into the ports.

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