The La Ballona Elementary Safe Routes to School Project is under construction now, after years of planning. As a ‘pandemic silver lining’ the fact that there are no children in classrooms this September makes it easier for the work to proceed.
From the first workshop in November of 2017, the community has been supportive of making the walk to school safer at the oldest elementary school on one of the busiest streets in the city. The start date of August 24, 2020 takes advantage of distance learning by using the normally crowded space at a point where it’s uncharacteristically unoccupied.
Making it safer and more comfortable to walk and bike to school will make a great difference for the students, and the surrounding businesses on Washington and Elenda Ave.
Proposed improvements include:
Curb extensions at intersections to shorten pedestrian crossing distances
New ADA ramps to make it easier to cross the street in a wheelchair or with a stroller
New high-visibility crosswalks
New controlled intersections with median refuge islands on Washington Blvd.
New street trees and pedestrian-scale lighting
A new protected bike lane on Elenda Street between Culver Blvd. and Washington Blvd.
This project is funded through a California Active Transportation Program Cycle 2 grant.
Hours of construction are between 8 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
Construction is currently scheduled to conclude in September of 2021.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo Credit – Bike Culver City
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