Celebrating Juneteenth

Today, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth in American history. The Juneteenth holiday marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom — more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This day stands as a powerful reminder of the long and ongoing struggle for equality and justice in our country.

Juneteenth has grown from a regional observance to a nationwide celebration, and on June 17, 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday, following President Biden's signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. This historic moment underscored the importance of acknowledging our past while striving for a more equitable future.

At LADOT, we are committed to promoting equity and inclusion in all our initiatives, ensuring that our city’s transportation systems serve everyone fairly and justly.

We encourage all Angelenos to join in the Juneteenth festivities and take the opportunity to learn more about this pivotal moment in history. Whether you’re attending local events, participating in educational programs, or simply taking time to reflect, let’s use this day to strengthen our community bonds and deepen our understanding of one another.

Happy Juneteenth Los Angeles!

Three Key Transportation Projects Awarded Grants

Last week, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council approved funding for LADOT projects competing under the Joint Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). Projects were awarded the full requested amount which complement and fill gaps in existing project funds. Each project marks a significant step forward in improving the city's transportation infrastructure and promoting sustainable and safe mobility options.

The projects awarded are:

Expo II West Bikeways - Northvale Gap Closure: $13.3 Million award  
The Expo II West Bikeways project focuses on closing the Northvale gap, a critical segment that has been under development with active community engagement. This project includes a two-way bike path with dedicated pedestrian facilities separated from the street, new access points, traffic signals, and enhanced lighting to ensure safety and accessibility.

Western Our Way: Walk and Wheel Improvement Project: $6.6 Million award  
In collaboration with StreetsLA and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson's office, the Western Our Way project will transform Western Avenue between MLK Jr Blvd and Century Blvd. This area will see safety improvements such as new pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, upgraded curb ramps, new median islands, new pedestrian scale-lighting, new street trees, bus stop improvements, and bike network enhancements along the neighboring corridors on Denker Ave and Gramercy Pl. The project aims to enhance traffic safety and access to community destinations like schools and parks.

Mid-City Low-Stress Bike Enhancements: $1.8 Million award  
This initiative will create a more bike-friendly environment in Mid City by identifying and improving connections and crossings on neighborhood streets with low travel stress for bikers and pedestrians. LADOT is working closely with local communities to gather feedback and address barriers to walking and biking. This input will guide future infrastructure improvements, making the area safer and more accessible for all.

These funded projects represent an effort to create a more sustainable, safe, and accessible transportation network in our city. LADOT is committed to continuing its work with community members and partners to deliver these transformative improvements.

For more information on the projects and to stay updated on their progress, please visit LADOT Livable Streets.   

Construction Begins on Hollywood Blvd Safety Improvements

We are pleased to announce that the initial construction has begun on the Hollywood Blvd Safety and Mobility Project! This project will reconfigure Hollywood Blvd for increased safety by converting a travel lane in each direction into a continuous center left-turn lane and parking-protected bike lane between Lyman Pl and Van Ness Ave, and replacing on-street parking with a protected bike lane between Van Ness Ave and Gower St.

Earlier this week, our partner agency StreetsLA began repairing and refreshing the pavement on Hollywood Blvd, to ensure a smooth surface for implementation of the new bikeway. This will include a full street closure tentatively scheduled for June 22nd and June 23rd as noticed by StreetsLA between Gower St and Taft Ave, and other more limited lane closures and parking restrictions between Serrano Ave and Lyman Pl. Following that, crews will be out on the streets to install the new street design using new roadway striping, signs, and plastic bollards. We anticipate that all work will be completed by the end of July.

If you plan to travel on or near Hollywood Blvd during this construction phase, please follow all posted notices and be mindful of the new street configuration and your surroundings while the project installation is in progress.

If you would like more information about the Hollywood Safety and Mobility project, please go to the project page where you can find a Frequently Asked Questions document, and other relevant studies and documents.   

CicLAvia Returns to South LA

Gear up for an exhilarating day at CicLAvia South LA, coming Sunday June 23, 2024 from 9am to 4pm on Western Ave! This dynamic event transforms Los Angeles streets into a car-free playground for everyone.

Join us as we walk, bike, and roll through miles of open streets connecting communities on Western Ave! Enjoy live music, local flavors, and family-friendly activities. It's a perfect opportunity to rediscover our city and connect with our vibrant community.

Don't miss out on this chance to experience LA like never before. Mark your calendar, invite your friends and family, and dive into the spirit of CicLAvia.   

Participate in our Community Surveys:

You are the ultimate expert for your community. LADOT wants your input as we plan projects to improve the safety, sustainability, and livability of Los Angeles communities.

BlueLA Crowdsourcing Survey

Your input drives BlueLA powered by Blink Mobility forward. Share your dream destinations & station locations in this quick survey. Let's shape the future of car sharing together!

Transportation Photos of the Week

From top left to bottom right: community engagement event on developing low stress networks for biking, community engagement event for the Western Our Way project, CicLAvia event on Western in 2023, an existing segment of the the Expo Northvale bike path.