The two new short bike path segments are located between the 6th and 7th Street bridges, and between the L.A. River and the 101 FreewayLocation of two new short bike path segments
New bike path along Myers Street. Note the 6th Street Viaduct construction in the distance.New bike path along Myers Street
One path runs about 500 feet along Myers Street between Jesse Street and 7th Street.
New Mission Road bike path - also with viaduct construction visibleNew Mission Road bike path
A second nearby path runs about 300 feet along Mission Road from Jesse Street to 6th Street (the bridge that Mission goes under.) The paths' concrete pavement, striping, and pedestrian lighting (still to be unwrapped) appear complete.
Wide curving sidewalk connecting the two new Boyle Heights paths. The area to the right will be the future Myers/Mission Roundabout.Wide curving sidewalk connecting paths - will be adjacent to future traffic circle
The two short paths are connected by a wide curved sidewalk, for a total bicycling distance of about a quarter mile.
Just east of the coming roundabout, the city has already completed its Jesse Street Air Treatment Facility (ATF), which cleanses air from a city sewer deep underground. The ATF includes a small fenced green space that borders the train tracks along the L.A. River. The pocket park was included in the ATF project as an early component of the city's plans to revitalize the river, though today it is off-limits to the public, and, like most surfaces in this vicinity, heavily tagged.
Gates to the Jesse Street Air Treatment FacilityGates to the Jesse Street Air Treatment Facility
Interior of Jesse Street ATF pocket park - photographed through the fenceInterior of Jesse Street ATF pocket park - photographed through the fence
The new paths feel out of place with their older surroundings. In such an industrial area, with such short segments unconnected to a bikeway network, the new paths serve few cyclists today. With construction of the new viaduct and park below it - and the area's gentrification driving more changes including some conversion of industrial spaces to loft housing, these paths will serve new destinations in the future. The question is whether they will be able to get current Boyle Heights residents to their new park.
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.