Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog LA

Vision Zero Painted Curb Extensions Come to L.A. Koreatown

New curb extension at Third and Vermont in Koreatown. All photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

Catching the bus last night, I spotted some new street markings at the westbound bus stop on Third Street at Vermont Avenue in Koreatown. Initially I assumed it was some kind of bus stop treatment.

According to L.A. Department of Transportation engineer Tim Fremaux, these are striped curb extensions, which are part of the toolbox that LADOT is applying to Vision Zero Priority Corridors identified in the city's Vision Zero Action Plan. Among the 40 priority corridors is Third Street from Vermont Avenue to Normandie Avenue.

Vision Zero
Vision Zero Action Plan priority corridors
false

Fremaux states:

We are experimenting with different designs, including some with vertical delineators and some with only raised pavement markers like in your photo. The goal is to reduce right turning speed and create a buffer between those right turning cars and pedestrians waiting at the corner.

The curb extensions consist of diagonal white thermoplastic stripes with some reflectors. Approaching the curb extension, in the adjacent vehicle lane, there are new arrows indicating that vehicles can go straight or turn from that lane.

Curb extension on Third Street at Vermont Avenue
Curb extension on Third Street at Vermont Avenue
false

Third Street's new striped curb extensions are somewhat like the painted curb extensions or bulb-outs on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights. These interventions are cheap enough to be implemented quickly. Though Fremaux states that delinators (sometimes called candlesticks or posts) or color might be part of a future phase, they are not planned for Third Street at this time.

Right now there are twelve of these curb extensions on Third Street. They are located at all signalized intersections from Vermont to Normandie: Vermont Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, Catalina Street, Kenmore Avenue, Alexandria Avenue, and Normandie Avenue.

This area has plenty of foot traffic and quite a few sidewalk cyclists. Many of the sidewalks are narrow, typically 6-8 feet, and effectively even narrower with street furniture, newspaper racks, poles, etc.

Curb extension at DASH bus stop at Third and New Hampshire
Curb extension at DASH bus stop at Third and New Hampshire
false

In my observations, most drivers stayed out of the painted curb extensions, though there were exceptions.

xxx
Third Street at New Hampshire curb extension serving as a loading zone
false
Mostly I observed buses pulling entirely into the curb extension area, which allows cars to continue to pass in the through lane
Mostly I observed buses pulling entirely into the curb extension area, which allows cars to continue to pass in the through lane
false
xxx
In some cases, buses pull over part of the way into the curb extension while still briefly blocking the through traffic lane
false
ThirdStreetparking
At Vermont Avenue, there is a metered parking space inside one of the curb extensions
false
Cyclists currently ride through the extensions (or ride on the substandard sidewalk)
Cyclists currently ride through the extensions (or ride on the substandard sidewalk)
false

The project has also upgraded crosswalks to the new "zebra" version.

New zebra crosswalk at Third and Berendo Street
New zebra crosswalk at Third and Berendo Street
false

What do you think readers? Have you seen these treatments popping up in other places? Are they working well? Or will they need more posts, paint, or something else to be totally effective? How are they for walking, bicycling or other modes?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Week Without Driving Bonus! Day 6: Nights and Weekends

At the end of the Week Without Driving in Sonoma County we held a community meeting to share our experiences and dream big about the future of alternatives to driving in our community.

October 9, 2024

Wednesday’s Headlines

Long Beach parking, LA Bus-Only Lane Enforcement, Caltrans Houses, Bay Area Transit Measure, Irvine Cybertruck, Extreme Weather, and more...

October 9, 2024

Good Riddance to Chevron

In Chevron's absence, California can pursue sustainability goals--locally and globally--even more enthusiastically. It can speed the adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy (which, on a good day, sometimes accounts for more than 100% of the state's energy).

October 8, 2024
See all posts