LA Heads Back to School This Week
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year, LAUSD students! I hope this school year is rewarding, fun, challenging, and above all else–safe.
LADOT is committed to providing students with a safe route to and from school, and continues to invest in solutions that slow dangerous speeding around schools and keep students safe. These efforts include reduced speed limits of 15 mph on eligible streets, intersection safety improvements such as curb extensions and turn restrictions, and speed humps. Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, LADOT has constructed 384 school speed humps and implemented 15 mph slow zones near 214 schools.
This year, we are also deploying nearly 500 crossing guards at schools across the City. Crossing guards do so much more than guide students across the street: they are beloved fixtures in their communities who educate young Angelenos about street safety. Later this fall, LADOT will launch its automated speed safety system, a new safety tool to help prevent driving behavior that puts young lives at risk. And don’t forget–all K-12 and college students in the City of Los Angeles can ride LADOT’s DASH service for free with a Reduced Fare TAP Card! Learn more about DASH and sign up today.
Please remember that every driver has a responsibility when getting behind the wheel of a car. As students head back to school, I want to remind all of us to slow down, stay alert, and follow crossing guard instructions. These simple actions can save lives. Together, we can make sure every student arrives in the classroom safe and ready to learn.
Council District 9 and LADOT Launch Abandoned Vehicles Initiative
In partnership with Council District 9, LADOT recently launched a new initiative to address abandoned and inoperable vehicles in South Central LA. Abandoned and inoperable vehicles contribute to neighborhood blight, attract illegal dumping, and reduce available parking. Through this new partnership, Council District 9 and LADOT are empowering residents with the information and tools needed to help keep neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and more welcoming.
The initiative includes a districtwide public education campaign to help residents understand when a vehicle may qualify for removal and how to report abandoned and inoperable vehicles through the City’s established reporting process. Council District 9 is also establishing a dedicated phone line and email address for abandoned and inoperable vehicle concerns.
Vehicles that meet the City’s established removal criteria include:
- Any vehicle that has been abandoned and not moved for 72 hours will first receive a citation and then be impounded
- Vehicles that present a traffic hazard such as blocking traffic lanes, walkways fire hydrants, or driveways
- Vehicles that pose an environmental or public health hazard
- Vehicles that interfere with City projects or permitted events these events will have restrictions posted several days in advance warning motorists to move their vehicles
- Inoperable vehicles that are disabled or missing an engine, windshield, tires or other components critical to safe operation
- Unregistered vehicles
- Stolen vehicles
District 9 staff will work directly with LADOT and Parking Enforcement to help residents navigate the reporting process, identify recurring problem locations, and serve as a bridge between the community and City departments.
Residents across the City can report abandoned or inoperable vehicles through the City’s Abandoned Vehicle Hotline at 1-800-ABANDON (1-800-222-6366), Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Transit for Free This School Year
This school year, students can go green and save money with free or reduced fare transit programs:
- LADOT’s DASH to Class program gives all K-12 and college students in the City of Los Angeles unlimited free rides on DASH buses with a Reduced Fare TAP Card.
- Metro’s GoPass enables students at participating K-12 and Community Colleges to ride for free on Metro and partner agencies through September 30, 2027.
- Metro’s UPass provides college students of participating schools with greater fare discounts and an expedited activation process that is administered directly on campus.
Learn more about LADOT Transit or Metro services.
South LA Eco-Lab to Host Community Meeting
Join the South LA Eco-Lab in-person or online Thursday, August 20th for a Community Meeting! At this meeting, members of the community will be able to get updates on improvements coming to Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue, take home a free tree, sign up for free Metro passes, participate in a grocery gift card raffle, and more.
Presentations begin at 6pm, but attendees are welcome to arrive at 5:30 for free food and resources. Interpretation will be provided, and kids are welcome.
When: Thursday, August 20th, 2026, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: SCOPE LA, 1715 W Florence Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047
Click to RSVP South LA Eco-Lab to Host Community Meeting.
Join LADOT for a Sunset Boulevard Open House
LADOT is designing new safety and mobility features to make Sunset Boulevard safer, easier, and more accessible for all. Sunset Boulevard is a major commercial and cultural street that connects some of the City’s most vibrant neighborhoods. This project will close critical gaps in the transportation network and advance the City’s commitment to safer, more reliable streets.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our project survey and shared their input on how to improve the street! During this phase of engagement, we received 3,437 survey responses and engaged with over 350 community members at canvassing and pop-up events.
Now we want to share what we heard! Join LADOT for an open house this summer to explore the proposed design and share your feedback. There are two opportunities to participate:
In-Person: August 15, 2026
10:30am - 1:00pm
Alpine Recreation Center
817 Yale St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Virtual: August 26, 2026
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Via Zoom
Spanish and Cantonese interpretation will be available at both events. Register for the Sunset Boulevard Open House.
Resources For Residents Affected by Lineage Warehouse Fire
As the City of Los Angeles and Council District 14 continue recovery efforts following the June 17 Lineage Warehouse Fire in Boyle Heights, LADOT wishes to make residents aware of the following resources available to affected Angelenos:
Community Resource Center: Residents and businesses of Boyle Heights and nearby communities can obtain air purifiers, food kits, financial assistance, help transitioning to a new job, receive health services, and access to various recovery resources and City and County programs at Lou Costello Jr. Recreation Center, located at 3141 E. Olympic Blvd.
Free Buses: LADOT is making temporary service adjustments to serve Boyle Heights residents, offering additional free buses in the area. Two additional buses have been added to the Boyle Heights DASH route, operating daily with free service every 10-15 minutes until further notice.
LADOT has also temporarily waived fares for Cityride Dial-a-Ride service for seniors and people with disabilities. A Cityride van is stationed at LAC+USC Medical Center to provide emergency transportation. Service runs daily from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM. To request same-day service, call: (213) 808-7433; (323) 808-7433; or (818) 808-7433.
Community Notifications: The Mayor’s Office has created a dedicated WhatsApp channel for Boyle Heights residents to receive regular updates on the recovery process. Download WhatsApp Messenger for free from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
For additional information on resources available to the Boyle Heights community, including financial assistance for businesses, pest control, and odor mitigations, please visit the Emergency Management Department.
Construction Begins on Spring/Alameda
LADOT wishes to advise the community of construction on the Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Project.
Crews will begin making curb ramp and sidewalk upgrades starting in August, and will continue work on the project until spring of next year. Construction will begin at the intersection of Alameda Street and Alpine Street. Construction is expected to be completed in Fall 2027.
Work will generally occur between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, and will not be performed on Sunday. Please follow all posted notices in the construction area and be mindful of the changing street configuration and your surroundings, especially under inclement weather and while project components are in progress.
For any questions or comments, please email.
Take Our Community Surveys
LADOT wants to hear from you! Share your feedback to help us prioritize safety and mobility improvements in your community.
Spring/Alameda Phase 2 Survey
The Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Project is moving into the next phase of design, and LADOT wants to hear what you think. Review the proposed design to improve safety and access in Chinatown and take the Spring/Alameda survey by August 31.
Transportation Photos of the Week
