City contemplates a Valley Boulevard makeover

From TheEastsiderla.com

By Barry Lank

Add dedicated bus lanes. Reduce railroad crossings. Create more green space.

The above are a few of the ideas that have been proposed and contemplated for a 4-mile stretch of Valley Boulevard and Mission Road that runs through El Sereno and Lincoln Heights.

The city has been holding public meetings to gauge reaction to possible improvements and changes under the Valley Boulevard Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Project.

It is one of three street makeovers — including Huntington Drive and Eastern Avenue — in the city that will be partly funded with money released after the 710 Freeway extension was canceled.

A survey found several challenges and problems along Valley, from traffic congestion and waiting for trains to a lack of sidewalks and bus stop amenities.

Potential changes include:

  • Add dedicated bus lanes but leave two car lanes in each direction
  • Synchronize traffic signals to improve traffic flow
  • Create protected bike lanes, build more sidewalks
  • Build a trench for freight trains to reduce railroad crossings
  • Add a shuttle bus stop near Cal State LA
  • Create a park with space for residential development just beyond the northern end of the 710 Freeway
  • Build an L-shaped pedestrian bridge at Beatie Place, which has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates along Valley Boulevard

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