Portions of some streets near USC will be closed to traffic Friday because of President Barack Obama's visit, but police said Wednesday they were attempting to avoid the congestion that accompanied Obama's last visit.

The closures, to vehicle and some pedestrian traffic, are expected to be in effect in the late morning into mid-afternoon hours, said Officer Bruce Borihanh of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Martin Luther King Boulevard will be closed between Figueroa Street and Vermont Avenue to through vehicle traffic from 9:30 a.m. until 11:25 a.m. and to all traffic from 11:25 a.m. until 2:50 p.m.

Vermont Avenue will be closed between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Exposition Boulevard to through vehicle traffic from 9:30 a.m. until 11:25 a.m. and all traffic from 11:25 a.m. until 2:50 p.m.

Figueroa Street will be closed between Martin Luther King Boulevard and 39th Street to through vehicle traffic from 9:30 a.m. until 11:25 a.m. and all traffic from 11:25 a.m. until 2:50 p.m.

Exposition Boulevard will be closed to all traffic between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa from 11:25 a.m. until 2:50 p.m.

"We are working with the California Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and the United States Secret Service to minimize the impact to the motoring public,'' Borihanh said.

Westside and Hancock Park streets were severely congested during Obama's last visit in August, prompting traffic nightmares as motorists crept along major streets and found themselves facing blocked streets and searching for alternate routes already filled with frustrated drivers.

"Even with the best of plans, there will be congestion beyond what is normal for any given Friday,'' Borihanh said. 'We would like all motorists who anticipate having to travel in and around the USC campus to expect delays and plan another route if possible.