Federal Level
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Recipients Of $5 Billion "Safe Streets and Roads For All" Grant Program
The U.S. The Department of Transportation announced a $5 billion grant program to help reduce traffic violence. The first $800 million will go to 510 communities, and about 473 of those grants will create or augment local action plans aimed at reducing traffic fatalities. Thirty-seven grants will go toward building safer infrastructure. About 80% of the funding will benefit bicyclists and 90% will benefit pedestrians.
The city of Los Angeles received $9 million in grant funding, the County received $21.495 million and Metro received $6.32 million
State Level
Assemblyman Introduces Bill Aimed At Protecting Pedestrians On Crosswalks
Assemblyman Alex Lee, D-San José. introduced a bill to prohibit vehicles from parking or stopping within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection. If passed, the change would make pedestrians more visible to oncoming traffic. Los Angeles, San Francisco and Alameda have already adopted similar rules.
California Transit Capital Projects To Receive $2.54 Billion
Sixteen California transit projects received more than $2 billion in funding through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, which is funded by Senate Bill 1 and the California Climate Investments. Projects awarded funding include the Inglewood Transit Connector and LA Metro’s East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor.
Arroyo Verdugo
Three-Block Portion of San Fernando Boulevard To Become One-Way
The Burbank City Council voted to make San Fernando Boulevard, from Orange Grove Avenue to Magnolia Boulevard, more pedestrian-friendly by making it a one-way street. The city also considered, but did not pass, an alternative option to make it a pedestrian-only area.
San Fernando Valley
Metro Receives $600 Million For East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
The funding, granted by the California State Transportation Agency, will fund the first rail project built in the San Fernando Valley since the Metro Gold Line was extended to North Hollywood in 2000. The 6.7 Mile light rail line will travel through Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima on Van Nuys Boulevard.
South Los Angeles Area
Destination Crenshaw's Sankofa Park To Open This Fall
Destination Crenshaw, a $100 million project to transform a section on Crenshaw Boulevard into a 1.3 mile public art corridor, will debut its first public space, Sankofa Park, this fall. The park, at Crenshaw and Leimert boulevards, will include sculptures by Kehinde Wiley, Charles Dickson, Maren Hassinger and Artis Lane.
Westside
Santa Monica Seeks To Revitalize Third Street Promenade
The Santa Monica City Council voted to have City Manager David White work with the nonprofit Downtown Santa Monica Inc. (DTSM) and area stakeholders to develop ways to revitalize the 3rd Street Promenade, including by establishing an arts and entertainment district, expanding outdoor dining opportunities, promoting available space and development opportunities, amending zoning codes to expand allowable uses and partnering with DTSM to attract street performers.