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

Huizar Cuts Ribbon on El Sereno’s Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements

The Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements include 1.5 miles of new road diet bike lanes. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

18-2925_ad_PLE_centurycity_digitalads_mir_728x90

This story sponsored by Los Angeles Metro to remind readers of traffic pattern changes resulting from Purple Line Construction. Unless noted in the story, Metro is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Just over a week ago, El Sereno leaders joined L.A. City Councilmember José Huizar and city staff to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements project.

Councilmember Huizar (center light blue shirt) with El Sereno community leaders cutting the ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements
Councilmember Huizar (center light blue shirt) with El Sereno community leaders cutting the ribbon on the Alhambra Avenue Safety Improvements
false

The $1.2 million project broke ground in January. It extends 1.5 miles along Alhambra Avenue from Valley Boulevard to the city limit just east of Lowell Avenue.

The improvements are most dramatic from Lowell Avenue to the city border with unincorporated East L.A. This area, adjacent to the El Sereno Arroyo Playground, has an S-curve that neighbors report has been crash-prone. There were no sidewalks there. On the north side of the street there was a dirt path below a crumbling dirt slope.

Before: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell Avenue. Image via Google street view
Before: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell Avenue. Image via Google street view
false

The city added a new signal at Lowell, a new sidewalk and retaining wall, and extended curbside crash barriers.

After: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell last week
After: Alhambra Avenue at Lowell last week
false
View of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve after improvements
View of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve after improvements
false
AlhambraAv318Aug9
The eastbound portion of the Alhambra Avenue S-curve has a short stretch of buffered bike lane
false
Alhambra Avenue's bike lane ends at the East L.A. limit where Alhambra becomes W. Mission Road
Alhambra Avenue's bike lane ends at the East L.A. limit where Alhambra becomes W. Mission Road
false

The project included resurfacing Alhambra Avenue with a road diet lane reduction on Alhambra Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Lowell. Four travel lanes were reduced to two, with a center turn lane and bike lanes added.

Center turn lane and bike lanes were added to 1.5 miles of Alhambra Avenue
Center turn lane and bike lanes were added to 1.5 miles of Alhambra Avenue
false

One remaining component of the project is still being installed: a new flashing-lights crosswalk at Hollister Avenue. Last week, L.A. City Transportation Department (LADOT) crews were installing the new crosswalk signal hardware.

LADOT installing new crosswalk signal on Alhambra Avenue at Hollister Avenue
LADOT installing new crosswalk signal on Alhambra Avenue at Hollister Avenue
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Friday’s Headlines

We don't have a wildfire crisis; it's an everything crisis; Notes on Newsom's budget proposal; San Diego's transit faces deficit; More

January 17, 2025

Confusion as Portland’s Road Death Toll is Alarmingly High

A spike in traffic deaths has tarnished Portland’s image as a bike-forward oasis, but advocates hope street safety improvements will accelerate in 2025.

January 17, 2025

‘Transportation Cannot Do It Alone’: US DOT Dep. Sec. Polly Trottenberg

As USDOT's second-in-command, Polly Trottenberg oversaw massive shifts in America transportation policy — and she says the work is not done yet.

January 17, 2025

Streetsblog California Editor Signs Off

Pat me on the head and shoo me out the door, there's work to be done

January 16, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

The fires and their long-term effects; RSR bridge bike lane meetings; More

January 16, 2025
See all posts