Hollywood Boulevard – a globally popular tourist attraction that has been the site of many traffic accidents – will undergo a major revamp in hopes of making it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists while revitalizing businesses along the boulevard, Los Angeles city officials and business leaders have announced.
Dubbed “Access to Hollywood,” the project will focus on a 3.6-mile stretch that will include removing some car lanes to install protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes, improving crosswalks and widening sidewalks. One hope among proponents is that the changes will provide more places for outdoor dining.
The bike lanes will be installed starting at La Brea Avenue on the border of West Hollywood and ending at Fountain Avenue in Silver Lake.
Bus lanes will be added to Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive near the TCL Chinese Theatre and Gower Street, the eastern end of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The project means dramatic changes on Hollywood Boulevard for residents and workers who drive along this key rush-hour route.
Most of this segment of Hollywood Boulevard will lose one car lane in each direction, according to Nick Barnes-Batista, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents that part of Hollywood. In addition, 216 street parking spaces will be removed.
Supporters say there are ample parking spaces in nearby lots that are underutilized.
“This project is about making our community safer and transforming how residents, workers, and visitors use Hollywood Boulevard, ” Soto-Martínez said in a statement. “We know that if people come here, they will eat here, they will shop here, and they will spend their money here. By building Hollywood around people instead of cars, we can revitalize this iconic destination.”
But some who live in the neighborhood are concerned about how these changes might impact traffic on nearby streets and want more opportunities for community input.
Colter…
Read the full article here
