Metrolink train alongside San Fernando Road walk/bike path under construction in 2022. Photo by Joe Linton/Streetsblog
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Streetsblog got a chance to check out the progress on the city of L.A.'s under-construction San Fernando Road bike path. The project, officially the San Fernando Phase III Bike Path, appears mostly complete, but still has a few gaps where construction is proceeding.
LA City Transportation Department (LADOT) spokesperson Colin Sweeney notes that the department expects the new path to be completed by the end of 2022, though the contractor has through next February to finish.
The bike path is a rail-with-trail project, paralleling Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line railroad tracks, which run just north of San Fernando Road. Portions of that right-of-way already have a completed bike path through the L.A. City neighborhoods of Pacoima and Sylmar, as well as the city of San Fernando. The existing path runs 5.9 miles along San Fernando Road from Roxford Street to Branford Street.
Existing San Fernando Road bike path in Sun ValleyThe existing San Fernando Road bike path in Sun Valley
Map of existing and future San Fernando Road bike path
The new phase continues 4.2 miles southeast from Branford all the way to the border between L.A. and Burbank - at the Burbank Airport North Metrolink Station. When complete, the path will extend a total of ten miles!
The new facility cost an estimated $31 million, according to a 2019 LADOT project fact sheet. Funding came from a California Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant, a U.S. Congestion Management Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, and other city funds.
The majority of the path already has new asphalt, lighting, fencing, landscaping, and some bicycle-activated signals in place. The project also includes new crosswalks, new ADA-accessible ramps, and major traffic/railroad signal modification at twelve intersections.
Even the not-quite-finished path is already in use by cyclists, runners, and pedestrians.
Cyclist using the new San Fernando Road pathCyclist using the new San Fernando Road path
San Fernando Road bike path's new landscapingSan Fernando Road bike path's new landscaping
The new path includes some bicycle traffic signals; this one is located at Sunland Boulevard.The new path includes some bicycle traffic signals; this one is located at Sunland Boulevard.
The new San Fernando Road bike path running along Burbank Airport (on the right)The new San Fernando Road bike path running along Burbank Airport
The new bike bridge over the Tujunga Wash is open.
New San Fernando Road bike bridge over the Tujunga WashNew San Fernando Road bike bridge over the Tujunga Wash
There are a few gaps remaining - including both sides of Tuxford Street (in Sun Valley) and near the Burbank border.
The pavement ends just southeast of Lankershim Boulevard. As of last weekend, there is a gap between Lankershim and Penrose Street.The pavement ends just southeast of
Near Lankershim, wooden framing shows where more bike path is coming soonWooden framing shows where more bike path is coming soon
Thanks to LADOT, Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Nury Martinez for getting this project built. And thanks to CiclaValley for piquing SBLA's interest by tweeting out construction photos late last year.
The San Fernando Road Bike Path Extension down to Lankershim looks open, but just short of complete. (Pic#2) The control box has been removed, but still dirt. (#3) No crosswalk at Sheldon. Otherwise, a good amount of lighting and ramps placed.@bikinginla@StreetsblogLApic.twitter.com/qZnfb5UXJI
Chief Scott and Metro leadership emphasized that keeping Metro transit safe would require a multi-faceted approach that included the deployment of officers as well as collaboration with the community, ambassadors, and service providers. "Sometimes enforcement is the answer," Scott said. "Sometimes it's not."
