StreetsLA (corrected from an earlier version) made a presentation at our October 12, 2024 meeting about their plan for 67th and West Blvd. The plan is part of a larger plan to create biking and walking paths connecting the Metro K Line Fairview Heights Station and the Metro A Line Slauson Station, a distance of about six miles as shown in this overview map:
Construction is already underway since October 2022 for the section between 67th and 11th Ave moving east to Slauson on the Metro A Line. Overall project description: https://www.metro.net/projects/railtorivera/
Also of note is that there is a community meeting October 16, 6pm on Zoom about the project.
Our meeting was focused on the smaller area of West Blvd and 67th Street.
The plan is to create walking and biking paths in this area to continue the paths created in the rest of the project to Slauson. The objective is to improve pedestrian & traffic safety and beautify the community. This segment is a half mile.
- New curb ramps
- New concrete sidewalk and driveway aprons
- New asphalt concrete pavement and curb gutter
- Traffic circles at 3 intersections
- New bike lines, bike boxes (a separated space for bikes at intersections) and signage
- Tree pruning
- Removal of railroad tracks across 67th St. and 11th Ave.
- Remove 10 unhealthy trees on the west side, which is the Inglewood side of West Blvd.
Above is a visual of what the traffic circles and bike boxes would look like.
Traffic lane striping is planned as follows:
There were about six people from this project at the meeting. Unfortunately, their materials were on paper and hard to see from the audience. No pdf version of the presentation was provided before, during or after the meeting, nor were any paper copies or links to an online presentation.
Project schedule:
- Design: Winter 2024-2025
- Bid & Award: Spring-Summer 2025
- Construction: Fall 2025-Winter 2026
Stakeholders were agitated and unclear on the purpose of this project, why bike lanes were needed, and why they were being informed about it rather than invited to help develop it from the beginning. Further, the need for traffic circles was questioned as they may have a negative impact on ambulances serving nearby nursing homes. The traffic circles are planned to consist of bollards, and are not even decorative, providing no beautification. A concern was raised that the west side of West Blvd was being improved at Los Angeles taxpayer expense, with no funding help from Inglewood.
PMHCC Vice President Alison McBeth-Featherstone, who was chairing the meeting said, “Until you come back with the presentation that shows you actually took time to know the community you’re working in to ensure you’re not causing irreparable harm this project should not move forward. Had a local consultant been hired, none of the issues you’re having now would have come up.”
Questions or concerns about this project should be directed to CD8 james.ingram@lacity.org and Lori@TheMorcosGroup.com of the Streets LA Outreach Team.
Let us know what you think: info@parkmesaheights.org
