Improving Traffic Safety in 2025

No matter how a person chooses to travel, they deserve to feel safe on our City streets and to get to their destination without injury. Unfortunately, too many lives are lost to preventable traffic crashes. Since last week, LAPD reported more than 10 traffic fatalities - people who were walking, biking, driving motorcycles, and driving cars. Each of these deaths represent an irreplaceable loss for their families and communities, and weakens the sense of safety people have in their own neighborhoods. That is why LADOT remains committed to eliminating preventable traffic deaths. In the wake of these tragic crashes, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the epidemic of traffic violence that continues to claim too many lives in our city - and share our plans to continue working to improve traffic safety.

Two years ago, in 2023, the City of Los Angeles experienced a record number of traffic deaths with somebody dying in a crash nearly everyday. Data from 2024 shows modest improvements, but, as this past week proves, fatal traffic crashes persist into 2025. As outlined in our recent Safety Study, LADOT spent the last year analyzing the underlying causes and persistent patterns in this ongoing public safety crisis, examining our role in reducing and ultimately eliminating traffic deaths, and resetting our own approach to reaching this goal. LADOT remains committed to working across departments, elected offices, and in partnership with communities to apply the lessons we have learned over the last ten years.

Our project evaluations show that where we do the work, it works. Street design projects on Adams, Anaheim, Avalon, Broadway, Figueroa, and Temple have reduced speeding and saved lives. We have achieved major legislative milestones to set and enforce safer speed limits that have the promise of bringing about systemic change. And through the Mayor’s ED9 we will improve the City’s collective ability to work together to scale these solutions.

We hope you will join us as we reflect, re-envision, re-engage, and relaunch these critical efforts. Please stay tuned over the coming weeks as we launch several key efforts, including:  

• New Priority Safety Corridors   
• New safety treatments at schools   
• Recommendations to repurpose peak-hour lanes on the High Injury Network   
• Recommendations to Council to advance the City’s speed safety camera pilot   
• Recommendations to Council to re-envision traffic safety in Los Angeles based on both a Citywide assessment and an evaluation of street design efforts  

It bears repeating: traffic deaths are preventable. They are the result of decisions we make behind the wheel, on the streets, and in how we design our city. As long as even one life is lost, our work is far from over, and we ask every Angeleno to be a part of the solution:  

• Slow down. Speed is a leading cause of fatal crashes.  
• Stay alert. Put away distractions, look up, look around, and focus on the road.  
• Look out for each other. Whether you’re driving, biking, or walking, we share these streets.  

Today, as we remember those we’ve lost, let’s honor their memory not just with reflection but with action.  

LADOT Activates Two New Traffic Signals Program

Last week, LADOT activated two new traffic signals in South LA and Melrose:  

• Central Ave and 42nd Place: This full traffic signal replaces a pedestrian flashing beacon, making it easier and safer for pedestrians to reach the nearby Central Ave Jazz Park as well as nearby schools and small businesses.  
• Melrose Ave and Genesee Ave: Located in the popular Melrose Ave shopping district, this traffic signal also replaces a pedestrian flashing beacon.  

These traffic signals will help improve traffic flow and increase safety in the area, making walking a more attractive option and helping improve livability for all.  

Oscars Road Closures in Effect This Sunday, 3/2

Please be advised of road closures in the area of Hollywood and Highland due to the 97th Academy Awards taking place on Sunday, March 2. Closures will begin as early as Saturday evening and last through early Monday morning. The Metro B (Red) Line will bypass Hollywood/Highland station from the last regularly scheduled train Saturday evening until the first regularly scheduled train Monday.

If you must travel near the area, allow extra travel time, and obey all Traffic Officer instructions. Visit Metro Rider Alerts to view bus detours.  

Engdu Workneh, Transportation Engineer

Engdu is a Transportation Engineer in the Metro Programs Division of LADOT, managing three Metro projects that improves public transportation infrastructure across Los Angeles. His work includes providing design support, reviewing street improvements and traffic control plans, and ensuring staff have the necessary resources to keep projects moving.

His journey to Los Angeles began in 1999 when he won a Diversity Visa Lottery, granting him the opportunity to become a U.S. resident. At just 20 years old, he made the difficult decision to leave his six siblings and parents in Ethiopia and start a new life in Los Angeles. To support himself and his family back home, he worked as a baggage handler at LAX while attending college. In 2006 he was hired by LADOT right after graduation.

Edgnu is passionate about expanding mobility options in Black communities, highlighting the Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) program for making transit more accessible in South LA. One project that brings him satisfaction is the Los Angeles World Airport’s People Mover Project. “I have previously worked at LAX, and lived in the airport area for many years. I was displaced from my apartment because of the project.  Many years later, I helped this project towards completion. Once completed, this project’s positive impacts will be very significant for all Los Angeles, especially for public transit users,” he explained.

When asked what loves most about Los Angeles, Endgu said, “If I have to pick one, diversity is the most I love. Ever since I moved to Los Angeles, it always felt like home.” As the City prepares for the 2028 Games, he believes reliable, safe, multimodal transportation is key to ensuring an experience for both visitors and residents.   

Awa Kologo, Transportation Engineering Associate II

Awa was born and raised in West Africa and came to the US after graduating high school. Whilst a student at UCLA, she interviewed at LADOT and was offered a position. As a transportation engineering associate, Awa works in signal design where she participates in field investigations, drafts with CAD, and works with all the different agencies that come together for a project. She is proud of the work and time she invests on various projects. "Whenever I get a plan signed, seeing my initials on the plan and knowing that my work will be constructed and eventually make LA traffic better, I’m so grateful that I got to start my career in the section I'm in.” 

Awa’s favorite part of Los Angeles is the diversity and uniqueness of everyone, and seeing how quick Angelenos are to unite and come together for a cause. As LA prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, the influx of tourists will impact traffic. Awa believes making our system faster and safer for tourists and residents that are just going through their daily route should be LADOT's focus leading up to the Games.   
 

Edgar Ennis, Transportation Engineering Associate II

Edgar serves as a  Transportation Engineering Associate II at LADOT, contributing to the Project Development Team where he helps prepare feasibility studies, cost estimates, and conceptual designs for active transportation initiatives in anticipation of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Outside of his professional role, Edgar serves on the executive board of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Los Angeles Professionals, where he holds positions as Community Service Chair, Collegiate Mentor, and Professional Representative for his alma mater, Cal Poly Pomona.

Born in Long Beach and raised in Carson, CA, Edgar was inspired to work in transportation by his love for cars and road trips. His grandparents, who migrated from the South in the 1960s, and his parents who became business owners, instilled in him a strong work ethic and sense of community.

He believes the DASH transit system plays a vital role in Black communities by providing affordable connections to essential services and regional transit. Beyond his work at LADOT, he organized the Fall 2024 Food Drive and Packing event as NSBE’s Community Service Chair. He led a  partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank and key organizations like LADOT, Google, and Microsoft to collect over 450 non-perishable food items and raise more than $1,000 for future food bank initiatives. He also hosted a food packing event at the LA Regional Food Bank, where STEM professionals came together to assemble 3,288 food packages for families in need during the holiday season.

LA holds a special place for Edgar due to its rich cultural diversity and historic landmarks, with a variety of restaurants to enjoy in his free time. As the 2028 Games approach, he emphasizes the importance of community engagement, ensuring that infrastructure projects leave a lasting, positive impact in Los Angeles.   
 

CicLAvia Rolls Through West Adams and University Park

Last weekend, thousands of Angelenos celebrated the first open streets event of 2025 at CicLAvia: West Adams Meets University Park! Over four miles of Jefferson Blvd and Vermont Ave were opened for a day of biking, walking, skating, rolling, and spending time with friends and family. Thanks to everyone who came out to explore the City in a new way!

The next CicLAvia event will be CicLAvia: Koreatown Meets Hollywood on April 6, 2025. See you there! 

LADOT Celebrates Broxton Plaza People Street

Last Saturday, LADOT joined the Westwood Village Improvement Association for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Broxton Plaza People Street. Through LADOT’s People Street program, a portion of Broxton Avenue in Westwood has been closed to car traffic and is now open as a vibrant community space designed for outdoor dining, entertainment, and recreation.

Attendees at Saturday’s event enjoyed free roller skating and pilates classes, live music, kids’ activities, a boba giveaway, and more–all demonstrating the unique potential of this new community hub.

At 14,000 square feet, Broxton Plaza is the largest People Street completed to date. Learn more about Broxton Plaza.   

LA Wildfire Recovery and Re-entry Resources

LA County is beginning the process of debris removal in areas affected by wildfires. The debris removal process is divided into two main phases, each managed by different agencies. Residents have the option to participate in the government-run program or manage the cleanup independently by opting out. Learn more at LA County Recovers.

Mayor Bass and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles launched the LA Disaster Relief Navigator, a new online tool to help Angelenos affected by the recent wildfire with tailored resources and plans for recovery.

For individuals and families impacted by the recent wildfires, the City of Los Angeles has opened Disaster Recovery Centers. View a list of locations and hours. 

For online support, the City's Emergency Management Department has compiled a list of resources for individuals, families, property owners, businesses, and workers. Visit lacity.gov for the latest information on how the City is working to respond to the wildfire crisis.

Transportation Photos of the Week

Top row: Roller skaters enjoy the new Broxton Plaza at the Grand Opening celebration on February 22, 2025  
Bottom row: Cyclists ride and visit LADOT's table at CicLAvia: West Adams Meets University Park on February 23, 2025