This week the city of Los Angeles scraped away do-it-yourself crosswalks added at the Koreatown intersection of 4th Street and New Hampshire Avenue. After the July traffic death of nine-year-old Nadir Gavarrete, the crosswalks were painted by the Crosswalk Collective L.A.
The city had long planned modest safety improvements - a small permanent traffic circle - at that intersection.
The safety upgrades were funded a decade ago, but then repeatedly delayed. Construction remains slated for 2026.
The good news is that the city will reinstall the crosswalks tomorrow, including an "interim traffic circle." Per Transportation Department (LADOT) Spokesperson Colin Sweeney:
An interim traffic circle and new crosswalks using quick-build materials – including bollards, paint, and signs – are being installed at 4th and New Hampshire. Installation is planned for Thursday November 13 with completion expected before the weekend, weather permitting. This interim project will be in place until the permanent traffic circle (construction planned for 2026) is installed.
The bad news is that it took so many years, and volunteer do-it-yourself community crosswalk painting, before the city acted to improve pedestrian safety here. The bad news is that the safety features were too late to prevent the death of Nadir Gavarrete.
