Griffith Park road may remain a car-free zone

Since late June, a nearly mile-long section of roadway through Griffith Park has been temporarily closed. It’s part of a pilot program to deter commuter and cut-through traffic through the park and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife.

Now, officials are poised to make this temporary car-free zone on Griffith Park Drive permanent. In addition, big changes may also be in store for another major park artery: Crystal Springs Drive.

On Thursday, city staff will recommend that parks commissioners keep Griffith Park Drive – from Travel Town near the 134 Freeway up to the Mount Hollywood Drive turnoff — closed to unauthorized automobiles and motorcycles.

“Due to the closure, cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians and wildlife are now able to enjoy this segment of roadway in Griffith Park in a safer manner without the vehicle speeding and cut through traffic that was occurring prior to the closure,” according to the city staff report.

The project will involve installing two T-Bar gates, asphalt resurfacing, road markings/additional signage and adding speed humps. A maximum of $540,000 is slated for the project.

Closing Griffith Park Drive is based on recent traffic studies from the transportation consulting firm Kimley-Horn. Some of the findings:

• Before the closure, about 1,950 vehicles traveled along Griffith Park Drive on a typical weekday; about 2,000 on a typical weekend day. After the closure, the numbers plunged to about 80 authorized vehicles per weekday and 20 on weekend days.
• Traffic has not increased significantly on Zoo Drive between Griffith Park Drive and Riverside; consultants suggest that drivers are possibly staying on the freeway rather than opting to use a cut-through in the park.
• Another factor in this traffic reduction is more traffic enforcement and additional speed feedback signs on Crystal Springs Drive and Zoo Drives.