Midblock Crossings Safety Upgrade

At LADOT, we’re always looking for new ways to make our streets safer and easier to navigate. I’m excited to share that our signal operations staff recently updated the signal pattern for all of the City’s midblock pedestrian signals (crosswalk signals you often see in the middle of a block, where people can cross safely without an intersection) to improve driver compliance and pedestrian safety.

So, what’s new? In the past, when someone pushed the button to cross, drivers would see a flashing red light for the full crossing phase. Now, when the WALK sign is on, drivers see a steady red and must remain stopped, just like at any other red light. When the countdown begins, the light changes to flashing red. That means drivers must stop first but can then go if the crosswalk is clear, much like at a stop sign. This keeps people crossing the street safe while also helping traffic flow more smoothly.

This change may sound wonky or small, but it’s an important step forward in how we design our streets. It makes crossing clearer for pedestrians and more intuitive for drivers, and it sets an example for other cities to follow. I want to thank our hardworking team in ATSAC, signal design crews, and electricians for making this happen—and to our community, thank you for adapting with us as we continue building safer, smarter streets together.

September is SoCal Transit Month

September is SoCal Transit Month, a month-long celebration presented by Metro. Events like Bus Fest, Metro art tours, group bike rides, and much more are happening across the region all month long.

Whether you’re an avid transit rider, a pro cyclist, an experienced public advocate, a transit-dependent student, or just a community member trying to learn more, Transit Month allows all of us to come together to support and celebrate public transit, the essential resource that keeps us moving, our economies growing, and our environment healthier.

To kick off Transit Month, join in on a statewide fashion contest on Instagram! Transit offers independent mobility, and no better way to honor that than by expressing yourself! Just post a picture of yourself in your beautiful attire with the tag #TransitMonth2025, and get entered into a chance to win prizes. Learn more about Dress to Impress Week.

With lots of events, festivities, and contests, Transit Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate public transit and find community. We hope to see you on board! Check out the calendar of events. 

LADOT Completes First Phase of Peak-Hour Lane Removal

LADOT has completed implementation of the first phase of a citywide initiative to remove peak-hour travel lanes and restore full-time parking. This initiative, directed by the Los Angeles City Council, aims to enhance safety, improve access, and support the City’s long-term mobility goals.

Phase 1 of this initiative focused on low-traffic corridors, restoring street parking on corridors where traffic volume is below determined thresholds. Future phases will examine higher-volume streets and may propose alternative uses for peak-hour lanes, such as dedicated bus lanes, protected bike lanes, or expanded pedestrian zones. LADOT will conduct outreach and collaborate with community stakeholders as future phases move forward, ensuring that proposed changes align with neighborhood needs.

Visit our website to view a map of completed work on Phase 1 street segments.  

Ice Cream Party Promotes Spring & Alameda Safety Project

Last weekend, LADOT joined CD 1 for an ice cream party in Chinatown as part of our outreach efforts for the Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Project. We had a great time chatting with the community about how they get around the neighborhood and the mobility challenges they experience day-to-day. Outreach events like these help LADOT prioritize the safety improvements that will benefit the community the most.

The Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Project survey is open until September 8! Take the Spring/Alameda survey.  

Take the Koreatown Pico-Union Neighborhood Connect Project Survey

LADOT is planning safety and mobility improvements between Koreatown and Pico-Union. The Koreatown Pico-Union Neighborhood Connect Project will create a nearly two-mile route along New Hampshire Ave and Berendo St, from Washington to Wilshire Blvds, providing an alternative to busy Vermont Ave by guiding pedestrians and cyclists through quieter neighborhood streets.

The project supports residents, families, students, and workers by improving neighborhood access and aligning with the City’s Mobility Plan 2035. Proposed design elements include traffic calming measures, bike lanes, and safer crossings to promote people-centered travel.

We want to hear from you! Your feedback will help LADOT understand your travel experiences, safety concerns, and ideas for how the project could better serve the community. Take the Pico-Union project survey by Wednesday, October 15, 2025, for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Limit one entry per person.  

Last Chance to Take the Spring/Alameda and Pico Boulevard Surveys

LADOT wants to hear your thoughts on two projects aimed at improving transportation safety before the surveys close on September 8:

• The Pico Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project will bring additional safety improvements including a reconfiguration of Pico Blvd between Crenshaw and Figueroa to connect to the City’s bicycle network. 
• The Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Project will close a critical gap in the City’s transportation network, increasing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

If you live, work, or spend time in either project area, we want to hear from you! Participants who complete the survey before September 8 will be entered to win a $50 gift card.

Take the Pico Boulevard survey

Take the Spring/Alameda survey

I-405 Lane Reductions Continue This Weekend

Caltrans has announced weekend lane reductions along I-405 through the Sepulveda Pass. The freeway will be reduced to at least three lanes in each direction with on/off-ramp closures. Travelers are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes or use public transportation to reach their destination.

Motorists will experience the following lane reductions and closures starting at 10 pm, Friday, Sept 5, and lasting through 5 am on Monday, September 8:

Northbound I-405:

• Reduced to three lanes between Santa Monica Blvd and north of Sunset Blvd
• Santa Monica Blvd on-ramp closed
• Wilshire Blvd off-ramp closed
• Eastbound & Westbound Wilshire Blvd on-ramps to northbound I-405 closed
• Sunset Blvd on/off-ramps closed
• Sepulveda Blvd/Moraga Dr off-ramp closed

Southbound I-405:

• Reduced to three lanes between north of Sunset Blvd and eastbound Wilshire Blvd
• Sunset Blvd/Church Lane on/off-ramps closed
• Westbound Wilshire Blvd on-ramp to southbound I-405 closed

Alternative Routes for I-405:

• Santa Monica Blvd to Northbound I-405: Travel east on Santa Monica Blvd and north on Sepulveda Blvd to the on-ramp to northbound I-405 at Moraga Drive
• Sunset Blvd to Southbound I-405: Travel north on Church Lane, south on Sepulveda Blvd, west on Santa Monica Blvd to the on-ramp to southbound I-405

For more information about the project, visit the I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation project web page.

Join us at CicLAvia: Historic South Central Meets Watts on 9/14

Join us on September 14th from 9am-4pm for the 62nd Los Angeles open streets event: CicLAvia–Historic South Central Meets Watts! This free and family-friendly event will connect the neighborhoods of South Central, Florence, Firestone, and Watts with over six miles of car-free streets, perfect for biking, jogging, skating, and strolling. Visit CicLAvia website to view the route map and learn more. 

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.

Pico Boulevard Safety and Mobility Survey

LADOT want to hear your thoughts on improving transportation safety along Pico Boulevard, especially for those who walk, bike, and take transit. Take the Pico Blvd survey before Monday, September 8. 

Spring/Alameda Safety and Mobility Survey

LADOT is planning improvements to close critical gaps in the transportation network and enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. Take the Spring/Alameda survey before Monday, September 8. 

Transportation Photos of the Week

Midblock crossing across LA. LADOT recently adjusted the signal on all midblock crossings to show a solid red when pedestrians have a walk signal.