Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog LA

Wrongheaded Koretz Sidewalk Repair Amendment Slights Pedestrians and Vision Zero

10:33 AM PST on December 6, 2017

Under an amendment put forward by Councilmember Paul Koretz, the city of L.A.’s sidewalk repair program could be further removed from focusing on places where people walk

At yesterday's L.A. City Council Budget and Finance Committee, councilmember Paul Koretz proposed removing prioritization criteria that links sidewalk repair to Vision Zero.

SBLA readers may be aware that, resulting from the Willits lawsuit settlement, the city of L.A. has embarked on a 30-year program to repair ailing sidewalks.

Proposed sidewalk repair prioritization criteria, including Vision Zero High Injury Network - chart from staff report
Proposed sidewalk repair prioritization criteria, including Vision Zero High Injury Network - chart from staff report

The budget committee was discussing the Bureau of Engineering's scoring system (staff report) for prioritizing sidewalk repair projects. The proposed city would have given 15 points out of a possible 145 for sidewalk repairs within 500 feet of the Vision Zero High Injury Network intersections or corridors. The HIN is the six percent of L.A. streets where 65 percent of all deaths and severe injuries take place.

In discussing the criteria (audio - item 12) Koretz asserted that proximity to the High Injury Network was "irrelevant." While the HIN is not a perfect measure of pedestrian need or equity, it does represent places where people are actually walking - and getting injured and killed - in higher numbers than other parts of the city.

Investing in Place, which submitted a well-reasoned comment letter on the item (council file 14-0163-S3), argues that the sidewalk repair program is not sufficiently tied into the city's transportation priorities. Sidewalk project planning and implementation take place in the Public Works Department, not the Department of Transportation. Sidewalk repair does not take into account special pedestrian zones, such as pedestrian areas designated in Mobility Plan 2035.

Responding to Koretz' move to further untie sidewalk work from walking, Investing in Place Deputy Director Naomi Iwasaki told SBLA:

It is concerning that Los Angeles sidewalks and the people that rely on them are consistently separated from overall transportation planning and funding conversations. Removing the Vision Zero High Injury Network from the city's proposed sidewalk repair program prioritization criteria is another indication that our city sees sidewalks as separate from traffic safety and not a part of our efforts to improve the Los Angeles transportation system.

At yesterday's meeting, councilmembers Koretz, Paul Krekorian, and Bob Blumenfield all voted to approve the anti-Vision Zero amendment. The revised criteria will need to be approved by the full city council before taking effect.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

Permanent car-free Hayes St? No right turns on red? And why aren't new cars safer for people outside them? Carbon pollution costs a lot; More

September 27, 2023

California Has to Stop Building Freeways. Now.

"People aren't used to thinking of freeways as fossil fuel infrastructure, but they are." And once built, there's no going back, no making up for the extra driving by trying to convince people that a bus or train might be a better choice - we're stuck with it.

September 26, 2023

Metro September 2023 Board Committee Round-Up: C Line, 91 Freeway Widening, and More

Transit ridership and freeway funding are up. $14 million for MicroTransit was postponed. South Bay C Line extension draws both controversy and support. Law enforcement, Taylor Swift, bus lanes, and more!

September 26, 2023

What is the Life of a Dead Pedestrian Worth?

A Seattle police officer sparked outrage when he joked that the death of pedestrian Jaahnavi Kandula might be settled for as little as $11,000. Some families get even less.

September 26, 2023

Pols: Congress Must Bolster Sustainable Commutes to Reduce Carbon and Congestion

The feds should bolster sustainable commuting modes and transportation demand management strategies.

September 26, 2023
See all posts