Join LADOT at CicLAmini: Lincoln Heights! 

I’m excited to share that on Sunday, September 15th, we’re bringing CicLAmini to Lincoln Heights! If you’ve never experienced a CicLAmini event, think of it as a scaled-down version of CicLAvia—all the fun packed into a smaller area with a more pedestrian focus. By transforming our neighborhoods into car-free zones, we allow families, friends, and neighbors to experience neighborhoods safely without the sound, stress, and pollution of vehicles.

Lincoln Heights, one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods, is rich in history and culture. This CicLAmini is one mile of car-free streets with music, games, and art giving us all a chance to slow down and appreciate this historic community in a way that driving simply doesn’t allow. It is a great opportunity for you to connect, or perhaps reconnect, with this unique neighborhood.

It is also a great opportunity to connect with the City - LADOT staff and many other community-based organizations will be on location to listen to your ideas on how we can continue to improve our city and better serve LA residents.

I encourage you to bring your family, invite your friends, and join us in Lincoln Heights for a day of exploration, fun, and community. Together, we can continue to build a city that’s safer, more connected, and more enjoyable for all. 

LADOT Honors Outstanding Performers

Every month, 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. These individuals are then recognized before the Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee. Here are LADOT’s Outstanding Performers for August:

Durre Shamsi, Transportation Engineering Associate II

Durre Shamsi has been with LADOT for 23 years, currently serving as a Transportation Engineering Associate II in the Valley Planning and Development Review Division. She oversees transportation-related projects in the East San Fernando Area and reviews building permits to ensure they meet safety and access standards. One of Durre's greatest strengths is her ability to prioritize projects that align with the Plan’s goal of transforming the area into a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly space. She works closely with community groups, developers, and the council office to achieve these goals.

Her dedication and support to colleagues make her a true team player, and her contributions have greatly impacted LADOT and the communities we serve.    
 

Vicente Cordero, Transportation Engineer

Vicente Cordero is a Transportation Engineer in LADOT’s Valley Planning and Development Review Division, with 22 years of service advancing transportation safety and accessibility. He plays a pivotal role in overseeing land use development and multimodal transportation projects, particularly in the Warner Center and Ventura Specific Plan areas. Vicente manages $18 million in transportation trust funds that support these projects.

Known for his exceptional leadership, Vicente excels in managing multiple project functions, implementing solution-based practices, and ensuring timely deliverables. His dedication extends to disaster response, where his expertise was crucial during Tropical Storm Hilary and the I-10 freeway fire closure. His strong work ethic and teamwork, combined with excellent communication skills, foster a positive work environment that aligns with LADOT’s core values. His commitment to excellence and professionalism reflects his passion for serving the City of Los Angeles with pride.    
 

Robert Rosenwald, Management Analyst 

Robert Rosenwald recently received his 25-year service pin with the City of Los Angeles, having started his journey in 1999. Before joining LADOT Transit in 2016, he contributed his expertise to the Department of Aging and LAWA. Now, as a key member of LADOT, Robert plays a critical role in reporting National Transit Database (NTD) data to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

His work is highly complex and detail-oriented, yet vital to LADOT’s operations. By meticulously reporting NTD data to FTA and Transit Performance Management Data to Metro, he ensures LADOT Transit qualifies for hundreds of millions in federal grants and Metro formula funds that keep the city's transit system running smoothly. Robert exemplifies LADOT’s values of integrity and accountability through his thorough review and validation of transit performance data, providing the credibility needed to earn the trust of auditing entities.

Jonathan Rogers, Transportation Planning Associate II

Jonathan Rogers started at LADOT in June 2018 with the Communications team as a Student Professional Worker, later becoming a Community Administrative Support Worker after graduating from UCLA. After a brief period with Los Angeles Public Libraries, he returned to LADOT’s Bureau of Transit Programs in April 2022, where he quickly took on leadership roles in securing critical funding for transit initiatives.

Jonathan has contributed significantly to obtaining nearly $8 million in grants from FTA and Caltrans through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) to support charging infrastructure at bus maintenance yards. He also identified nearly $6 million in SB 1 State Transit Assistance funds to help cover bus driver wage increases.

With support from Councilmember Monica Rodriguez’s Office, Jonathan contributed to funding applications for the FTA Low or No Emissions Grant Program to electrify the Sylmar Yard. His dedication to securing funding exemplifies LADOTs values of creativity and accountability, ensuring LADOTs transit electrification goals move forward.

Join LADOT at CicLAmini: Lincoln Heights!

Mark your calendars for CicLAmini: Lincoln Heights on Sunday, September 15! From 10am to 3pm, enjoy a pedestrian-focused celebration along a 1.16 mile route in Lincoln Heights. Broadway will be transformed into a public park for the day where participants can jog, ride, skate, spectate, or enjoy the route in any way that they choose. CicLAmini is a family friendly and pedestrian-focused experience. There will be activities popped up all along the 1.16 mile route such as self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts, games, art, and much more! Don’t miss out on the fun!

Learn more about CicLAmini at ciclavia.org 

Stay Cool During Ongoing Heat

As temperatures stay high, keep these tips in mind to remain cool, safe, and comfortable:

• Stay hydrated and remain alert for signs of heat-related illness like dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and muscle cramps. Check in on your household, family, friends, pets, and neighbors. 
• Do not leave young children and pets unattended in personal vehicles for any period of time. Cars interiors can reach lethal temperatures quickly.
• The City of Los Angeles has hundreds of cooling centers open in the form of Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches.  To find a cool spot near you, visit the Cool Spots LA map online or download the app.

LADOT bus services, including DASH and Commuter Express, are air-conditioned to keep you comfortable as you travel this summer.  Additional safety tips may be found on the Los Angeles Fire Department’s website. For safety information in additional languages, please visit the City’s Heat Relief Outreach Materials.   

LADOT provided buses for cooling at the fire site and transported 20 firefighters when they needed medical attention. Thank you to our last transit team and transit drivers for providing this critical service. 

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!

EV Chargers in South LA

Where do you want to see more EV chargers in South LA? As part of LADOT's UBM pilot, we're installing 100+ EV chargers. Help us determine where chargers are most needed by taking our brief survey.

Metro Active Transport First/Last Mile Aviation/LAX Station

Metro is seeking input on improvements you want to see near the Aviation/LAX station. Take this survey to help prioritize pedestrian and wheel improvements to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety, and comfort for transit riders.      

Bureau of Engineering Sidewalk Assessment Survey

The City of Los Angeles is conducting a pilot inventory and assessment of pedestrian facilities. Take the Sidewalk Assessment Survey to help the City make strategic investment decisions regarding pedestrian infrastructure across LA. 

Transportation Photos of the Week

Pedestrians and cyclists enjoy a safer Hollywood Blvd