Just over a week ago, El Sereno leaders joined L.A. City Councilmember José Huizar and city staff to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements project.
Councilmember Huizar (center light blue shirt) with El Sereno community leaders cutting the ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety ImprovementsCouncilmember Huizar (center light blue shirt) with El Sereno community leaders cutting the ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements
The $1.2 million project broke ground in January. It extends 1.5 miles along Alhambra Avenue from Valley Boulevard to the city limit just east of Lowell Avenue.
The improvements are most dramatic from Lowell Avenue to the city border with unincorporated East L.A. This area, adjacent to the El Sereno Arroyo Playground, has an S-curve that neighbors report has been crash-prone. There were no sidewalks there. On the north side of the street there was a dirt path below a crumbling dirt slope.
Before: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell Avenue. Image via Google street viewBefore: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell Avenue. Image via Google street view
The city added a new signal at Lowell, a new sidewalk and retaining wall, and extended curbside crash barriers.
After: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell last weekAfter: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell last week
View of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve after improvementsView of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve after improvements
The eastbound portion of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve has a short stretch of buffered bike laneThe eastbound portion of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve has a short stretch of buffered bike lane
Alhambra Avenue's bike lane ends at the East L.A. limit where Alhambra becomes W. Mission RoadAlhambra Avenue's bike lane ends at the East L.A. limit where Alhambra becomes W. Mission Road
The project included resurfacing Alhambra Avenue with a road diet lane reduction on Alhambra Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Lowell. Four travel lanes were reduced to two, with a center turn lane and bike lanes added.
Center turn lane and bike lanes were added to 1.5 miles of Alhambra AvenueCenter turn lane and bike lanes were added to 1.5 miles of Alhambra Avenue
One remaining component of the project is still being installed: a new flashing-lights crosswalk at Hollister Avenue. Last week, L.A. City Transportation Department (LADOT) crews were installing the new crosswalk signal hardware.
LADOT installing new crosswalk signal on Alhambra Avenue at Hollister AvenueLADOT installing new crosswalk signal on Alhambra Avenue at Hollister Avenue
If we want bike-share to thrive, we have to treat it as the public good it is. That means public investment, strong labor standards, meaningful community partnerships, and deep respect for the people who make the system work.
