A big X marks the spot: pedestrians scramble yesterday at the newly revamped intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.xxx
It may be one of those made-up statistics, but there is a repeated truism that millions of people visit Hollywood Boulevard every year, and they spend an average of about fifteen minutes there. Sure, there are the Walk of Fame, some beautiful historic theaters and other noble buildings, Metro Red Line subway stops, costumed performers, street musicians... but Hollywood Boulevard is mostly tacky souvenir shops, museums in name only, and sad restaurants one would never return to, all along a massive car-choked stroad.
Despite millions of tourists milling around on foot, there is no place to sit, or to hang out. There are hardly even places to shoot respectable selfies.
All that has not changed overnight, but the city implemented a pedestrian upgrade yesterday at Hollywood's most prominent intersection: Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, Department of Transportation (LADOT) General Manager Seleta Reynolds, a marching band, and tens of thousands of pedestrians (most of whom just happened to be passing through) opened the city's latest pedestrian scramble crosswalks.
Similar to intersections in downtown Pasadena, fronting USC and UCLA, and elsewhere, Hollywood pedestrians can now cross diagonally during a phase when all cars are stopped. The upgrade is part of the city's inter-departmental Vision Zero improvements program, in which L.A. has committed to ending all traffic fatalities over the next ten years.
Lights. Camera. Scramble.xxx
Tourists come from all over the world to walk along Hollywood Boulevard.xxx
There it is. Walk it.There it is. Walk it.
Streetsblog exclusive: what the L.A. pedestrian scramble signage looks like.Streetsblog exclusive: what the L.A. pedestrian scramble signage looks like.
Although Officer Brian Kolke failed to voluntarily report the use of force and prolonged Earl Roots' agony for several hours, he only received a comment card on his personnel file
Foothill Transit CEO Doran Barnes credits their successes to a "commitment to community," a "spirit of innovation," and fruitful collaborations with numerous partners
If you’re a regular reader and you’ve already contributed this year, thank you! If you value Streetsblog and you haven’t already supported us, please consider a donation as part of our End of the Year fundraising drive.