Happy Lunar New Year, Los Angeles!
This week marks the vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year, an event observed in cultures around the world. As one of the most diverse cities on Earth, Los Angeles embraces this significant event.
In the Chinese Zodiac, the coming year represents the Year of the Dragon and this Saturday, the 125th Golden Dragon Parade will march through the streets of L.A.’s Chinatown. Steeped in history, Chinatown has been and continues to be the cultural and economic hub of L.A.’s Chinese-American community. For generations it has welcomed visitors of all backgrounds to enjoy food, art, architecture, plays, and nightlife.
At LADOT, we’re proud to work behind the scenes to support and make the Golden Dragon Parade possible. As we do for major cultural events throughout the year, our Special Traffic Operations team and Traffic Officers work diligently to ensure the smooth flow of festivities, coordinating traffic detours, street closures, and alternative routes to guarantee the success of the parade.
Whether you’re able to join us for the parade this weekend or however you choose to celebrate, we wish you a happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon!
LADOT Speed Hump Program Opens March 21
LADOT is excited to announce that the next application period for the Residential Speed Hump Program will open on Thursday, March 21 at 9:00 AM. Residents are encouraged to visit our website for updated information on the application process. Due to anticipated high demand, we advise applicants to submit their requests promptly when the window opens to maximize their chances of consideration. Thank you for your interest in enhancing safety in our community through the Residential Speed Hump Program, and we look forward to receiving your applications!
LADOT Celebrates Black Innovators in Transportation History - Lois Cooper
Lois Cooper was the first Black female transportation engineer at the California Division of Highways (now Caltrans). She distinguished herself with exceptional mathematical abilities that impressed her colleagues. During her time at Caltrans, she led freeway projects, championed carpool lanes, and developed a bike path off the 91 freeway. Additionally, Cooper served as president of the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers, advocating for aspiring Black engineering students. Her legacy lives on through the Lois Cooper Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, established after her passing to support underrepresented students in STEM fields.
Mulholland Drive Closed from Skyline Drive to Bowmont Drive
Please be advised of road closures on Mulholland Drive between Bowmont Drive and Skyline Drive due to damage from recent heavy rainfall. Engineering assessments are underway, and the City is finalizing repair plans before issuing contracts for the necessary work. The timeline for reopening depends on weather conditions, and we appreciate residents' continued cooperation during this closure. Drivers are urged to follow signs and traffic officers' instructions for safety as repairs progress.
A map detailing current locations of road closures, evacuation locations, and shelters in the City is available here.
LADOT Employee Spotlight
Brandon Wilson serves as the Deputy Transportation Director for Mayor Karen Bass and plays a pivotal role in shaping transportation policies and strategies for the City. He oversees various aspects of transportation policy development, budgeting, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and more. Brandon emphasizes the importance of his role, stating, "I reference a wide range of skills and experiences to make informed decisions that guide our city toward achieving its mobility goals."
He first embarked on his journey in the transportation sector in 2014 as a student professional worker at LADOT. "The diversity of my experiences at LADOT, which included a rotation period through the Western District Field Office, Special Traffic Operations, and the Valley Development Review Office, inspired me to continue the never-ending process of professional growth and self-improvement," shared Brandon. This essential starting point laid the foundation for Brandon's career trajectory, instilling in him a passion for improving our City's transportation network.
Brandon appreciates Los Angeles for its diverse cultures, exciting atmosphere, and the ample opportunities it provides for creative transportation solutions that enhance the lives of its residents. As Brandon continues to excel in his role at the Mayor's Office, LADOT remains proud to have been a part of his journey and looks forward to his continued leadership in shaping the future of transportation in Los Angeles.
South LA Eco Lab Community Meeting
Last week, LADOT participated in the first community meeting for the South LA Eco-Lab at 52th Street Elementary School, marking the start of a 5-year journey to bring clean air, renewable energy, and better mobility to the South LA community. The South LA Eco-Lab project is funded by a $35 million grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)’s Transformative Climate Communities Program. The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.
This effort is part of LADOT's Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Program that will integrate access across existing and new transportation options, introduce new shared mobility options for residents and workers, expand and integrate fare payment subsidies, provide green jobs training, and expand electrification to advance Universal Basic Mobility for South LA residents.
CAPP Program Connecting with Community
The LADOT Community Assistance Parking Program (CAPP) team recently participated in an event organized by the Los Angeles Public Library. The Source event, held monthly at the Central library location downtown, serves as an outreach program to link unhoused individuals with various services and resources. At the event, the CAPP team provided information about the program, helped interested individuals enroll, and connected with other homeless service providers in Los Angeles.
Gear up for CicLAvia Melrose
Get ready to roll with a wheelie great route! Join us in celebrating the 50th CicLAvia event on Sunday, February 25, where you can discover 4 miles of car-free streets along Melrose Ave. CicLAvia provides an opportunity to connect with Angelenos and communities throughout Los Angeles County in an entirely new way. View the route map and learn information at ciclavia.org.
125th Golden Dragon Parade, this Saturday!
Get Join the Lunar New Year celebration! The 125th Golden Dragon Parade will take place on Saturday, February 17, 2024. As the Chinatown community prepares for the festivities, we advise you to plan ahead due to street closures beginning at 10 am. If you plan to attend the parade, consider taking our fare-free DASH B Chinatown/Financial District route or the Metro A Line to the Chinatown Station. Learn more about the parade at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles.
Traffic Officer Testing Opens 2/16
Join the LADOT team and play a vital role in keeping LA moving! LADOT will open testing for Traffic Officers on February 16, 2024. Traffic Officers are an essential part of our City, ensuring a safe and smooth flow of traffic during special events and emergencies. Sign up to be notified when testing opens by searching for “Traffic Officer” and clicking “Subscribe” on the City’s upcoming examinations page.
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Transportation Photos of the Week
