Damien Newton

Responding to community concerns that the high volume of pedestrian traffic at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue was creating an unsafe crossing, City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell and the Department of Transportation recently announced that a "pedestrian scramble" will be installed by the end of the year.

(Update: While I have the term "phase 1" in my notes, I was corrected that there are no formal "phases" to the project. Right now there is only a firm plan for the transportation improvements, but will be implemented as opportunities arise, such as partnerships with community groups or businesses. They could happen before, or after, the transportation improvements. - DN)

Despite Great Streets being a signature transportation project of Mayor Eric Garcetti, throughout the city the vision, outreach, and implementation are driven by the enthusiasm of the local City Council offices. Staff in the Mayor's Office is working closely with each of the fifteen Councilmembers to create a Great Streets program that is locally-driven and Council-approved.

Come party with Streetsblog Los Angeles as we celebrate our success with the 2014 Los Angeles Press Club Awards banquet.

As SBLA reported two weeks ago, the City of Los Angeles recognized one of the earlier leaders of the bicycling movement by naming the intersection of  Westwood Boulevard and La Grange Avenue as “Raymond Fouquet Square." Streetsblog volunteer Jack Weiss was there to capture the event on video, which is embedded above. To read more on Raymond Fouquet, read Linton's article from July 12.

Come party with Streetsblog Los Angeles and LongBeachize as we celebrate our success with the 2014 Los Angeles Press Club Awards banquet. In addition to taking home the "Best Blog" award for the second year in a row, members of our team picked up individual honors throughout the night including Sahra Sulaiman (Best Online Feature story, 2nd for Best Online News Story, 3rd for Best News Photo), and Damien Newton (3rd for Best Online Lifestyle Piece). SBLA sister publication's Brian Addison also took home "Best Online Journalist."

Flanked by community and safe streets advocates holding signs reading "Save Our Sidewalk" and "Safe Streets 4 All," Don Ward leaned into a microphone to announce the battle over the redesign of the Glendale-Hyperion series of bridges was not over just because the City Council has given the project a green light.

Last November, David Lindley was walking across the street at the five point intersection of Venice and South Robertson Boulevard when he was struck and killed. Lindley, an autistic teen who attended nearby Hamilton High School, was mourned by friends and family who vowed to see the intersection fixed.

After last week's warning that Assemblymember Mike Gatto's legislation to create a "Yellow Alert" system was imperiled by Senate Transportation and Housing Committee staff and the California Highway Patrol's (CHP) objections, there was a feeling of a looming showdown before today's committee hearing. Assembly Bill 8 would create a system to use electronic road signs and the emergency alert system to notify people when a deadly hit-and-run crash occurred to help apprehend suspects. A similar system has proven effective in Colorado.