The long designated and much discussed transportation improvement projects known as Better Overland, and Safer Fox Hills all got the green light from the Culver City Council at the council meeting on Nov. 9, 2026.
“More people are killed by traffic accidents than by homicide in [Los Angeles] County,” Jeanne Black addressed the meeting from the podium. “Let’s get out of our cars.”
As a part of the ‘consent calendar’ the item C-3 approved the beginning of construction on Phase One for Better Overland, C-4 was approval for Phase Three of Better Overland to proceed, and C-5 was the authorization to accept grant funding. Toro Enterprises was also authorized as the responsive bidder.
Many of the speakers at the podium – and there were many speakers – used the word “finally.” The length of time, the number of community meetings and the extensive reiteration had cyclists both frustrated at the length of time it had taken, and pleased that it would now be breaking ground.
One example of the persistent opposition to bike lanes was local resident Emily Fisher, who was sure that there would be an increase in air pollution from cars being forced to idle.
There was still suspense as Council member Albert Vera Jr. made several requests to bifurcate the motion, threatening to leave C-5 off the motion, and thereby killing the grant funding, which required four votes. Council member Dan O’Brien had recused himself over ‘conflict of interest.’ A request to designate the grant money for Safer Fox Hills was supported by staff, who offered that there was sufficient funds for Better Overland even without the additional grant monies.
“This has been one of the best vetted projects – two plus years – and multiple community meetings – so well vetted and so well designed, it’s about safety, here, we are talking about people’s lives.” said Michelle Weiner.
Christopher Micheal, the final speaker from the podium said “I’d love to bike more on Overland but I just don’t feel safe. I’m just glad that this is finally coming through.”
Judith Martin-Straw
