Mayor Garcetti celebrates new funding for L.A. River projects

10/09/2021

[ Article was originally posted on www.lamayor.org ]

Mayor Eric Garcetti joined elected officials at the L.A. River to announce over $15 million in funding for a bridge and a multipurpose path along the L.A. River in Los Angeles and Glendale.

The Mayor stood alongside Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Mitch O’Farrell, Glendale Mayor Paula Devine, and Glendale Councilmember Ara Najarian to make the announcement.

“The L.A. River is an iconic destination for people across this region — and these investments demonstrate the strength of our coalition taking action to help it realize its full potential,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I want to thank Assemblymember Friedman for championing this piece of our historic waterway, which will provide Angelenos and visitors with better access to green spaces, as well as more places to walk and bike.”

As part of the new funding, $5 million will be used for the Colorado Freeway Extension undercrossing, which will establish a safe and continuous path along the North Atwater East Bank of the L.A. River. When complete, pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians will be better connected to parks, equestrian facilities, neighborhoods, businesses, and recreation along the river. An additional $10 million was also announced for the City of Glendale for the completion of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that will make a long-needed connection between Glendale and Griffith Park’s bike paths.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of investing in my district’s active transportation infrastructure,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman. “The 43rd is home to incredible community amenities such as Griffith Park, the LA River Bike Path, the Chandler Bike Path, and Descanso Gardens.  However, many of our neighborhoods and business districts lack the access necessary to realize the true potential of these community assets. By connecting our district’s treasures and providing people an alternative way to get around, we’re providing a better way of life not just for our residents, but for the entire region.”

"As Councilmember, I've prioritized connectivity at the Los Angeles River, including literally building bridges between communities," said Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, the chair of the Los Angeles City Council's Committee on Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and the Los Angeles River. "Thanks to the efforts of many partners, we have made enormous progress on the restoration of and access to this precious resource."

"As a committed user of our region’s pedestrian pathways, bike lanes, and public parks, I’ve found myself in too many situations where a sidewalk abruptly ends or a bike lane suddenly disappears because you’ve crossed into another city,” said Councilmember Nithya Raman. “This project brings out my inner urban planning fan girl -- Assemblymember Friedman’s commitment to this issue has brought us the funds we need to make sure that we are building the transportation connective tissue we desperately need in the Los Angeles region. I am so proud to be part of this coalition that spans cities, council districts, and departmental boundaries -- but shares the commitment to making this project come to life as soon as possible."

“Thanks to Assemblymember Friedman, traveling between Los Angeles and Glendale will be much easier than it is today,” said Glendale Councilmember Ara Najarian. “Both the Garden Bridge Project and Metro’s Doran Street Project fit into our mission to strengthen connectivity between our neighborhoods and keep our economy moving.”

Since Mayor Garcetti took office, he has led the City’s efforts to revitalize the Los Angeles River by transforming it from a concrete flood channel into a natural space — securing more than $600 million for investments in L.A. River revitalization projects, and creating more parks, bike paths, and open space for recreational use.

The Mayor’s efforts to transform the River are highlighted by the construction of three new bridge crossings to connect communities and bring more Angelenos to the river, including the North Atwater Multi-Modal Bridge, Taylor Yard Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, and the Red Car Bridge. Mayor Garcetti also spearheaded the development and implementation of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan; helped the U.S. Army Corps and Engineers to authorize a plan for $1.5 billion in River restoration projects; and formed the 100-Acre Partnership at Taylor Yard, which will create a coordinated restoration across multiple adjacent L.A. River properties to restore habitat and create public natural space.

SOURCE: https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-celebrates-new-funding-la-river-projects