New Bike Lane Barriers on 3rd Street

If you’ve rolled down 3rd Street lately, you might have noticed something new: concrete barriers separating traffic lanes from the bike lane between Main and Spring! This treatment - called “Toronto Barriers” - is made from pre-cast concrete and part of a pilot project designed to provide cyclists greater protection. Since the barriers are made offsite and attached to the roadway, they offer a less expensive safety improvement that can be installed more quickly at more locations across the city than traditional concrete barriers.  

This is the first time this treatment has been used in the City of Los Angeles as we’re always on the lookout for new and better solutions for our streets and our communities. Your feedback helps us determine whether these kinds of improvements should remain, evolve, or expand into something bigger.

So, if you’ve passed through 3rd Street recently, take a few minutes to share your experience with us. The survey is quick, and your thoughts will help shape the future of how we make streets safer and more welcoming for everyone. Add your voice by taking the Bike Lane Concrete Barrier Survey.

Latino Heritage Month Employee Spotlight

Each week during Latino Heritage Month, LADOT will spotlight staff members with Hispanic roots. Each has a unique story to tell and plays an integral part in the operations of LADOT to keep our City moving.

Giovani Santamaria

Giovani is a Transportation Engineering Associate II with ATSAC Operations and Signal Timing. Giovani and his family arrived in Los Angeles in 2007, settling in the East LA area where he found a community. Growing up in East LA/Boyle Heights allowed me to meet people who shared similar paths in life, and we supported each other in reaching our goals, Giovani says.

With ATSAC, Giovani works to make traffic signals more efficient, especially during special events and road closures. The ability to have a positive and immediate impact on our City’s communities makes Giovani proud. One of the most satisfying projects I completed was the implementation of a new midblock traffic signal operation, shares Giovani. This recent safety upgrade makes these crossings safer and more intuitive for both drivers and pedestrians.

To anyone looking to see the influence of his heritage in LA, Giovani recommends Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. What I love most about Los Angeles is its cultural diversity, which allows us to learn from one another, he states.

Elizabeth Pallares

Sergeant Elizabeth Pallares is a Senior Traffic Supervisor overseeing the Central Bike Detail in DTLA. She previously served as a bike unit officer for 12 years. I am proud of my 25 years of service with the City of Los Angeles and equally proud to serve the community in which I grew up, shares Elizabeth.

In the 1950s, Elizabeth’s parents moved from Juárez, Chihuahua, to Texas as a young couple. After having five children, the family moved to Los Angeles for better job opportunities, where two more children–including the youngest, Elizabeth–were born. I view our family history as a success story and a strong example of how, with opportunity and dedication, generations can thrive, says Elizabeth. Thanks to my parents’ courage and bravery, I, a first-generation child of immigrants, was the first in my family to earn a college degree, and my daughter has earned her master's degree. There are no limits for our future generations.

To anyone wanting to see the influence of her heritage in Los Angeles, Elizabeth recommends both Olvera Street and Mariachi Plaza. Music and food have always been a huge part of my culture, and I absolutely love listening to live Mariachi music with my family, Elizabeth shares.

UBM Pilot Program Receives APA Award of Merit

Congratulations to LADOT’s Universal Basic Mobility team for receiving a 2025 American Planning Association (APA) California Award of Merit in Transportation Planning!

The APA California Awards Program aims to promote quality in planning and enhance public awareness of the planning profession by recognizing outstanding achievements in the field. This year, the Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit for 2025 were selected by a distinguished jury of APA California peers, representing diverse planning fields and locations across the state. Local Sections first evaluated the submissions for state awards, making these selections truly exceptional.

LADOT’s Shirin Sadrpour and Jillian Ballard attended the awards ceremony in Monterey on September 29 to accept the Award of Merit.

The UBM Pilot program has implemented several clean mobility options in South LA, including an ebike lending library and transportation subsidies. To learn more about UBM, visit LADOT’s website. 

LADOT Honors Outstanding Performers

Several times a year, LADOT celebrates excellence among members of its staff by identifying Outstanding Performers. These are team members who exemplify LADOT values by performing their duties with diligence, professionalism, and distinction. Here are LADOT’s recent Outstanding Performers:

Zackary Campos, Transportation Engineering Associate II

Zackary works in the Planning & Policy Division, where he has supported the Commercial Rideshare Division’s bike share and data management efforts and the DASH transit marketing team. He plays a crucial role in efforts to modernize transportation, including LADOT’s Code the Curb pilot project. Zackary also supports Advanced Planning by managing quarterly data sharing between LADOT and BOE. A true team player, he stepped in during the I-10 fire response, spending his weekend mapping detour routes that were featured in local and national news outlets. With his expertise and collaborative spirit, Zackary is a go-to resource for teams working on asset and data management.

Susan Gonzalez, Transportation Engineering Associate II

Susan works in District Operations, where her contributions to the 15 mph school speed limit project directly led to the successful execution of this important initiative. Susan’s commitment, diligent efforts, and proactive communication skills were instrumental in navigating the complexities of the project. By regularly engaging with engineers and field crews, Susan ensured seamless collaboration and was able to address potential roadblocks quickly. Thanks to her efforts, LADOT was able to reduce speed limits adjacent to many schools across LA, helping keep families safe during pick-up and drop-off.

Daniel Martin Montero, Transportation Engineering Associate I

In his work with District Operations, Daniel consistently demonstrates creativity and a willingness to go above and beyond–especially evident in his work collecting and organizing time-critical Palisades fire disaster data requested by FEMA and the CAO. His dedication and relentless effort ensured the timely and accurate completion of this task, providing essential data for disaster response and recovery efforts. His ability to deliver under pressure, combined with his innovative approach to data analysis, proved invaluable.

Noel Villamin, Administrative Clerk

Noel started his LADOT career as a Community Administrative Service Worker with the Hollywood Area Parking Enforcement Office in 2016, quickly acquiring comprehensive knowledge of all administrative functions related to Parking Enforcement. His amiable demeanor and dependable work ethic were essential to the office’s relocation, and Noel was soon promoted to Administrative Clerk with the Special Events Unit. Noel’s reliability and quick learning earned him placement in a demanding role within the unit, operating in a fast-paced environment where transparency is required.

Celebrate CicLAvia's 15th Birthday at CicLAvia: Heart of LA on 10/12

Be a part of CicLAvia’s 15th birthday celebration at CicLAvia: Heart of LA! On Sunday, October 12, from 9am-4pm, over seven miles of streets will be closed to cars and open for a day of biking, walking, and exploring. Heart of LA was the first ever CicLAvia route fifteen years ago, connecting the neighborhoods of Westlake, DTLA, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Arts District, and Boyle Heights. This free, family-friendly event has something for everyone, including music, food trucks, games, giveaways, and more. View the route map and learn more.

Help Shape The Future of the SR 710 Stub

Caltrans is hosting a forum with the goal of developing a community-informed reuse strategy for the SR 710 stub. The extension of SR 710 was officially canceled in 2018, leaving behind a segment of unused freeway infrastructure in Alhambra and Los Angeles. Early proposals include protected bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, improved rail corridor crossings, affordable and student housing, or multimodal linkages to LA Metro, Metrolink, and Cal State LA.

The community forum will take place on Wednesday, October 8 from 6pm-8pm at Cal State University Campus (parking & location on campus TBD.) Light refreshments will be provided. Register for the community forum. Community members can also take a survey to share their thoughts.

To learn more about the SR 710 Stub, visit the project website. 

Job Opportunity: LADOT Ambassador Program

LADOT is looking for Ambassadors in the SF Valley and Central LA to support LADOT’s local projects. This is a paid, part-time role ($30/hour) for trusted community leaders who want to build skills and lead outreach. Ambassadors commit about ten hours a week over six months, starting with a month-long training on storytelling, transportation equity, and community engagement strategies.

After training, you’ll put your skills into action by attending community events, sharing LADOT project information, and gathering feedback from residents. Flexible schedule, transportation support, and materials provided.

Apply now and help shape the future of your community. Bilingual ambassadors are especially encouraged to apply.  

Take Our Community Surveys

LADOT wants to hear from you! Share your feedback to help us prioritize safety and mobility improvements in your community.

Koreatown Pico-Union Neighborhood Connect Community Survey

LADOT is planning safety and mobility improvements between Koreatown and Pico-Union. Take the Pico-Union survey before Wednesday, October 15.

Third Street Bike Lane Concrete Barrier Survey

LADOT is installing new concrete bike lane barriers to replace the existing plastic bollards along 3rd Street between Main and Spring. Share your feedback before Friday, October 31.

Caltrans U.S. 101 Amestoy Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Online Survey

Caltrans plans to enhance pedestrian access across U.S. 101 and is seeking input from the community regarding the pedestrian bridge at Amestoy Avenue. This survey is intended to gather preliminary feedback. Take the Amestoy Avenue survey.

Transportation Photos of the Week

LADOT's Town Hall on Thursday, September 25 honored Outstanding Performers (bottom left).