Hollywood Hills residents fight Barham Blvd exit at 101 Freeway closure

HOLLYWOOD HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A group of Hollywood Hills residents are angry over plans to permanently close the southbound Barham Boulevard exit off the 101 Freeway in order to make way for an expansion of Universal Studios.

The ramp closed temporarily Wednesday morning, but is not set to permanently shut down for another year, Caltrans officials said.

Residents protested by the off-ramp Wednesday, arguing that closing the ramp to accommodate NBC Universal's theme park will inconvenience commuters. They plan to file a lawsuit to block the closure.

In a statement, NBC Universal said, "The required new southbound 101 on ramp was part of a seven-year public approval process and was the number one requested traffic improvement by the community."

The company is expected to make transportation improvements and will connect the influx of drivers directly from their property to the freeway.