LADOT is Proud to Support the LA Marathon

This weekend, tens of thousands of runners will take to the streets of Los Angeles to participate in the 40th Los Angeles Marathon! LADOT is proud to play a crucial role in making sure the race runs smoothly—not just for participants, but for everyone who lives, works, and commutes in LA. Our team has been working behind the scenes to plan street closures, manage traffic flow, and ensure that runners, spectators, and residents alike can enjoy the event safely.

The marathon, just like the Oscars a few weeks ago, is an example of how LADOT helps support major, marquee events that define Los Angeles. Events like these also serve as our own warm-up and training routine as the LA prepares to host global sporting events like the World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in just a few years time.

On race day, you’ll see LADOT Traffic Officers and Special Traffic Operations along the course from Dodger Stadium to Century City, keeping intersections safe, managing closures, and directing vehicles toward detours. We encourage everyone to take transit, plan ahead, and add extra travel time. Some Metro buses and DASH routes will have detours, but we’re working closely with our partners to keep LA moving.

Whether you’re running, cheering from the sidelines, or simply navigating the city, we’re here to make sure you reach the finish line, wherever that may be. See you on race day!

LA Marathon Set for This Sunday, March 16

Please be advised that the LA Marathon will be taking place this Sunday, March 16, from downtown Los Angeles to Brentwood. Street closures will begin as early as 2am, with all road closures final by 6am. Crossing the marathon route is not permitted. The race will begin at 7am, with roads reopening on a rolling basis at the discretion of LAFD and LAPD. Drivers are encouraged to adjust travel times and plan alternate routes.

Marked tow away zones along the route will be strictly enforced, and vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Learn more and view an interactive map of road closures.

New HAWK Pedestrian Beacon Activated at Jefferson Blvd & Hillcrest Dr.

Last week LADOT activated a brand-new HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive . This new signal is designed to improve safety for people walking in the West Adams neighborhood by making it easier to cross the busy street.

Thanks to the leadership of Councilwoman Heather Hutt (CD10), who championed this project, the HAWK beacon is now up and running. The beacon remains dark until a pedestrian presses the button to activate it. Once triggered, the lights flash yellow, then turn solid red, alerting drivers to stop and allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

West Adams is a growing community with schools, businesses, and families that rely on safe walking routes. This upgrade is part of LADOT’s ongoing efforts to improve street safety and mobility across the city.

Virtual Public Meeting: LA River Bikeway Expansion

Join the City of Los Angeles for a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 6 PM to learn about the latest updates on the LA Riverway Phase IV Extension Project. This project aims to upgrade an existing maintenance road into a multi-use path with an adjacent equestrian trail, contributing to a continuous 51-mile bikeway connecting the Valley to Long Beach. The meeting will present key findings from the draft environmental report and provide an opportunity for public feedback.

The project, located between Riverside Drive and east of the Forest Lawn Drive on/off ramps, has undergone design refinements based on community input. The draft environmental report is open for public review from February 28 to March 31, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to share your thoughts and help shape the future of the LA River Bikeway!

Meeting will go live on Wednesday, March 12 at 6PM.

Kimberly Venegas, Transportation Planning Associate II

Kimberly Venegas is a Transportation Planning Associate II at LADOT, where she works to improve mobility across Los Angeles. Her role includes using data platforms to evaluate transportation investments, leading consultant teams on street improvement projects, and securing funding for critical infrastructure. She has also contributed to the Downtown Los Angeles Mobility Investment Plan, which addresses pedestrian safety and supports the area’s growth.

Kimberly’s passion for transportation is rooted in her experiences growing up in a low-income, car-less household. Relying on public transit, walking, and biking in a car-oriented city came with challenges, long wait times, unsafe conditions, and limited access to opportunities. It wasn’t until she moved to Berkeley for college that she realized transit could be reliable and convenient. Inspired by the benefits of walkable, transit-friendly cities, she pursued a career in planning to help others move safely and efficiently without needing a car. To this day, she has never owned one and commutes on the LA Metro E Line.

One of Kimberly’s proudest accomplishments is her research on high-volume road diets, which demonstrated that reducing travel lanes on busy streets can improve safety while having minimal impact on traffic flow. Her findings contributed to LADOT’s policy decisions, helping planners reconsider road diets as a viable strategy for reducing collisions and improving street safety. In 2023, she presented her research at the TRB conference in Washington, DC, and was honored with the Academic Award of Merit from the APA California chapter.

When asked about a woman who inspires her, Kimberly named urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs. “Despite not having a college degree, she challenged the urban planning establishment and fought to preserve vibrant, walkable neighborhoods,” Kimberly shares. “Her advocacy showed that cities should prioritize people over cars, which is something I strive to do in my own work.”

For Kimberly, what makes Los Angeles special is its opportunities. “As a first-generation American, I never imagined a career in city planning was possible,” she says. “But LA values diverse perspectives. My background isn’t a drawback—it’s an asset. It drives me to create a transportation system that serves everyone, especially those who have been historically overlooked.”

Halina Do-Linh, Data Analyst

Halina Do Linh Halina Do-Linh is a Data Analyst for the Bureau of Commercial Rideshare & Mobility at LADOT. She manages and analyzes data on dockless scooters, personal delivery devices, taxis, and carshare. Working with transportation planners and GIS specialists, she helps shape data-driven policy decisions.

Her passion for transportation comes from her background in environmental data science and a realization she had as a Climate & Energy Fellow: “The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.” Now at LADOT, she contributes to projects that support sustainable mobility solutions, reduce emissions, and promote equitable access.

One of Halina’s proudest accomplishments was her master’s capstone project, Outdoor Equity, which explored disparities in access to outdoor recreation. She helped develop a web application for park managers and researchers to better understand visitor demographics and promote inclusive access. The project later expanded for the U.S. Forest Service and played a role in inspiring Senator Alex Padilla’s bill on public land access equity.

She also highlights LADOT’s commitment to transportation equity for women. Through international conferences and webinars, her team has explored strategies to enhance transportation safety and accessibility. They have gathered insights from mobility hub design frameworks and are applying this knowledge to future projects in LA, aiming to create safer and more accessible transportation options for women across the city.

For Halina, one of LA’s greatest strengths is its outdoor recreation. “There aren’t many places where I can skate in the morning and snowboard in the afternoon,” she shares. Whether hiking Strawberry Peak or Sandstone Peak, she appreciates LA’s unique landscapes and is committed to making mobility in the City just as accessible.

LA Wildfire Recovery Resources

FEMA Extends Deadline for LA Wildfire Federal Aid

For those impacted by the LA fires, the deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA Disaster Loans for Physical Damage have been extended to March 31. FEMA Individual Assistance can help individuals with temporary housing, home repairs, and personal property losses. SBA Disaster Loans provide assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by the wildfires.

The City remains committed to helping affected communities recover as quickly and safely as possible. Residents should visit emergency.lacity.gov to stay updated on available resources and support.