LA Metro: No Timeline Set for LA River Bike Path Construction

• The LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to build a bike path along the downtown river channel.
• The project aims to create a seamless 32-mile bicycle and pedestrian route from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach.
• Funding for the LA River Path was included in Measure M, a massive transportation infrastructure improvement initiative approved by LA County voters in 2016.
• No timeframe has been set for actual construction of the project.

The proposed bike path along the downtown river channel is expected to bring significant benefits to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) plans to build a bike path along the downtown river channel have been in the works for over three decades. The project aims to create a seamless 32-mile bicycle and pedestrian route from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach, connecting communities east of the channel with those further south. This vision has gained momentum as cycling becomes increasingly popular in LA, with electric bicycles and scooters now widely available. However, the path's design has been contentious among community organizers and cycling advocates, who have differing views on what it should look like.

Conceptual designs for the LA River Path have considered multiple options, including seven new bridges and 11 access points to the path from surrounding streets. These plans would allow cyclists and pedestrians to navigate the route without worrying about cars and trains. While some options prioritize accessibility, they also come with a higher price tag. Metro's board is expected to decide on a preferred alternative later this year, which will trigger preparation of a final environmental report.

The LA River Path has been included in Measure M, a massive transportation infrastructure improvement initiative approved by LA County voters in 2016. The project received $365 million in funding, but no timeframe has been set for actual construction.

The proposed bike path along the downtown river channel is expected to bring significant benefits to the surrounding neighborhoods. For residents of Latino working-class communities like Lincoln Heights and Boyle Heights, a safe and accessible bike route would be a major improvement. Laura Cortez, co-executive director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, notes that many community members have family members who work in Vernon, an industrial hub along the river just south of downtown LA.

Cortez emphasizes that the current lack of bike lanes and safety concerns make it difficult for people to commute by bicycle. The proposed path would not only improve air quality but also provide a safe route for workers to travel between their homes and workplaces. As Cortez points out, 'a lot of our community members have family that work in Vernon,' and this project would mark a significant improvement for those workers and the environment.

The LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has solicited public input on a draft environmental impact report for the LA River Path. The report considers multiple options, including elevated paths, incised paths in the concrete walls of the channel, and street-level paths on top of the riverbank. While all options prioritize safety and accessibility, they also come with varying costs.

Metro's board is expected to decide on a preferred alternative later this year, which will trigger preparation of a final environmental report. However, no timeframe has been set for actual construction, leaving many stakeholders waiting with bated breath.

Compliance officers and lawyers advising clients on transportation projects should note that the construction timeline for the LA River bike path remains uncertain, with Metro's board expected to decide on a preferred alternative later this year. This decision will trigger preparation of a final environmental report, but no timeframe has been set for actual construction.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service