Northeast LA street improvement project receives $36 million

A street improvement project for two northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods will receive an additional $36 million, increasing the total investment to $80 million, Councilman Kevin de León announced Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Funding will support the Valley Boulevard Multi-Modal Mobility Project, a street safety initiative for a corridor connecting the El Sereno and Lincoln Heights areas. De León, who represents the 14th District encompassing downtown L.A. and other nearby neighborhoods, held a news conference Wednesday morning to highlight the effort, which will bring 4.5 miles of protected bike lanes, add peak period bus-only lanes, new pedestrian lighting, ADA-accessible sidewalks and expanded green spaces.

The project is also intended to benefit Parque de Mexico in Lincoln Park by preserving and enhancing cultural landmarks, such as statues donated by Mexican states.

About $9 million of the $36 million comes from the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities, while Metro provided the other $27 million, according to the councilman’s office.

Officials noted that much of the total $80 million secured for the initiative is redirected funding from the now-defunct Long Beach (710) Freeway expansion project. In 2021, Metro and Caltrans suspended plans to widen the 710 Freeway after challenges related to the federal Clean Air Act and other environmental concerns.

Caltrans decided to fund local street improvement projects instead of building a freeway tunnel that would have connected the 710 Freeway with the Foothill (210) Freeway.

“For decades, our community has been unfairly burdened by the flawed 710 Freeway expansion — a project that was an environmental disaster targeting a predominantly Latino community,” de León said in a statement. “But today marks a turning point. This isn’t just about improving roads and adding bike lanes. It’s about restoring justice to a community that has been neglected and harmed.”

Street improvements in the northeast L.A. area are expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve public safety and create opportunities for local businesses, officials said.

“We’re building a future where this corridor isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B, but a destination in its own right — a place where families can gather, businesses can thrive, and our rich cultural heritage is celebrated,” de León said.