LA River Valley Bikeway and Greenway Design Completion Project (Vanalden to Balboa)

The City of Los Angeles (the City) is proposing to construct a 2.9-mile bikeway and greenway facilities project located along the LA River in the West San Fernando Valley of the City of Los Angeles. The proposed Project includes the installation of bicycle and pedestrian pathways, construction of undercrossing and river parks, and on-street improvements to increase access to the LA River Bikeway in this area. The purpose of the proposed Project is to provide recreational opportunities and bicyclist connectivity in the Encino-Tarzana Community Planning Area. The proposed Project would connect the existing LA River Bikeway and close existing bikeway gaps along the LA River. The proposed Project would connect to the active transportation network throughout the region and provide new pedestrian and bicycle access and connectivity to transit, residential homes, schools, jobs, parks, and other community-serving amenities for the surrounding communities. Construction of the proposed Project is anticipated to begin in the Fall 2022 and last for approximately three years.

The proposed Project is located along the LA River extending from Vanalden Avenue to Balboa Boulevard and travels adjacent to nearby communities of Reseda, Lake Balboa, and Encino in the City of Los Angeles (Council Districts 3, 5, and 6). It would be located on the south side of the LA River from Vanalden Avenue to White Oak Avenue and on the north side of the river from White Oak Avenue to Balboa Boulevard. Throughout the project area, the LA River is surrounded primarily by medium- and low residential communities in addition to open space and recreational areas, including the Reseda Park and Recreation Center, Sepulveda Basin Recreation area, Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park, Balboa Sports Center, and Balboa Golf Course.

In compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study (IS) has been prepared to assess the potential environmental impacts of this project. Mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project to ensure that any impacts are reduced to a less than significant level. The DRAFT Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated for a thirty (30) day public review period, beginning on October 7, 2021 and ending on November 6, 2021. Comments received on the DRAFT document are responded to in the FINAL document.

A copy of the FINAL document may be obtained through the links below or by contacting Chris Adams of the Bureau of Engineering at christopher.adams@lacity.org or (213) 485-5910.