Port Security Plan Costs Rise by $3.5M

Costs soared by $3.5 million to install security enhancements at the Port of Los Angeles under a revised budget plan approved by the harbor commission. Technological upgrades and expanding the project's scope to include port tenants and public access areas were cited as the primary reasons for the spending hike, causing the project's budget to balloon to more than $9 million. Since then, an additional $555,678 in change orders was approved by the panel, but port officials noted that the most recent hike was not attributed to construction overruns. The new budget sets aside $1.1 million to install security systems at the new offices for Northrop Grumman and Liberty Hill Plaza, along with new surveillance cameras at the cruise terminals, Cabrillo Boat Ramp, the harbor administration building and the Port of Los Angeles High School.