November 2020 Update: How did it change from a roadway widening project to pedestrian safety curb-extension project?
This project received Surface Transportation Program -Local (STP-L) funds through Metro’s 2013 Call for Projects to increase vehicular capacity on Magnolia Boulevard between Vineland Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard. The City now will revise the scope of work to address the more current needs of the corridor and the community, and better align with goals outlined in the City of Los Angeles and Metro’s current Mobility Plans, as well as the City’s Vision Zero program. The revised scope of work would create greater safety enhancements for all roadway users to improve the experience for people walking and traveling along this segment of Magnolia Boulevard. During the Summer of 2020, in consultation with the office of Councilman Paul Krekorian and the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering (BOE) requested Metro’s approval to revise the scope of work for the Magnolia Widening Project. The Metro Board approved the revised scope on August 19, 2020.
PROJECT LOCATION:
This project is located in the North Hollywood area of the City of Los Angeles. The project is between Cahuenga Boulevard and Vineland Avenue on Magnolia Boulevard in Council District 2 and in the North Hollywood – Valley Village community of the City of Los Angeles.
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The goal of the project before was to widen Magnolia Boulevard to add an additional eastbound vehicular travel lane. Today, with the revised scope, this project development and street design are more holistic and aims to facilitate safe, comfortable movement and provide all users with multi-modal transportation options such as walking and cycling.
The project area is strategically located within close proximity of the North Hollywood Metro B (Red) and G (Orange) Line Stations, which function as a significant regional hub in the rail and bus network and serves as a vital first/last mile link from the stations to adjacent residential and commercial land use. The project area is also denser than surrounding areas and land use is a growing mix of commercial and residential uses, ripe for enhancements to the walkshed.
In lieu of widening Magnolia to add a vehicular capacity, the City of Los Angeles proposes to provide pedestrian-oriented safety features such as curb extensions, new crosswalks, and safer street crossings with the addition of hybrid beacons to better meet the current needs of the community.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improvements as part of the revised scope of work will enhance overall mobility and safety with an emphasis on the walking experience. Making walking safer, more pleasant, and enjoyable along Magnolia Boulevard will enhance connections on foot between public transportation including the North Hollywood transit hub, retail districts including the North Hollywood Arts District, residential neighborhoods in the vicinity of the project, and bicycle and pedestrian trails including the Chandler path. A complementary effort, separate from this project aims to provide additional access points to the Chandler path, further enhancing these connections.
New enhanced crosswalks across Magnolia Boulevard will provide safer access points across an arterial street, shortening paths of travel between points on either side of the roadway. Additionally, sidewalk expansion, new street trees, stormwater improvements, and pedestrian lighting will make walking along Magnolia Boulevard safer and more inviting; as a result, the project’s completion anticipates more trips on foot.
SCOPE:
The revised scope of work aims to better align with the recently adopted “Complete Streets” policies and the community’s current needs.
- Curb Ramp Extensions
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant access ramps
- Storm Drain Extension
- New Catch Basins
- Repaired Sidewalk
- Approx. 6 new trees added.
- Traffic Signal Upgrades
- Pedestrian Beacons at mid-block crossings.
- Enhanced pedestrian streetlights.
- Protected-Permissive Left Turn (PPLT) at Vineland Ave.
- Speed Tables
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:
Construction of the proposed improvements is expected to start in Fall 2022 and be completed within 12 months. During construction, one lane in each direction will be maintained and on-street parking will not be available. Construction will include grading, shoring, and resurfacing, as well as concrete forming and concrete pouring. Approximately 6 street trees will be planted. In addition, power poles and other utilities will be relocated as needed. Parking capacity after completion of the project will be the same as present.