Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
San Gabriel Valley

SGV Connect 69: Stormwater Planning in East L.A. and a Look at the Transit Picture Across the Country

Welcome to SGV Connect. In this week's episode, Kris Fortin interviews Paul Alva with the county's Department of Public Works about East L.A. Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project. After that, Damien Newton talks to Streetsblog USA Senior Editor Kea Wilson about the state of transit during the ongoing pandemic.

The East L.A. project will convert multiple medians into green multi-benefit sites that capture rainwater and other urban runoff. In several existing street median islands, the project will divert water into bioswales and drywells, allow water to soak into the ground - to recharge aquifers, improve water quality, and lessen flood risk. DPW expects the project to capture approximately 21 acre-feet of urban and stormwater runoff from a 3,000-acre tributary area of mostly residential and commercial properties.
The project will include benches, picnic tables, walking paths, exercise equipment, and quite a bit of vegetation, including more than 300 trees. DPW estimates the cost to be $36 million.
The county provided us a couple of pages from their recent outreach meetings. Click here, here and here to check them out.
Map of the East L.A. Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project. Click here, here and here for county presentations on the project.
false

Read more about the project at the official website, and see why some East L.A. residents are unhappy with the project in this story on L.A. Eastsider.

In the second interview, Wilson explains how national politics are delaying or even killing a second federal relief fund for transit projects and programs.

Wilson also discusses how agencies are responding to the crisis by focusing efforts on making service as usable as possible for essential workers and what transit will look like in our post-COVID future.

SGV Connect is supported by Foothill Transit, offering car-free travel throughout the San Gabriel Valley with connections to the new Gold Line Stations across the Foothills and Commuter Express lines traveling into the heart of downtown L.A. To plan your trip, visit Foothill Transit. “Foothill Transit. Going Good Places.”

Sign-up for our SGV Connect Newsletter, coming to your inbox on Fridays.

Catch past episodes of SGV Connect and #DamienTalks on LibSyn, iTunes, Google Play, or Overcast.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

Headlines are dominated by red lights and Trump.

October 15, 2025

The Audacious Idea to Connect America With Trails Is More Necessary Now Than Ever

Seattle's bike blogger takes a ride on some of Washington's best rail trails — and makes the case for extending the "Great American Rail Trail" across the country.

October 14, 2025

What was signed: More Cameras, Faster Builds for Transit/Bike/Ped, More Time for Breathalyzers after DUI’s

He may have waited to the last second, but the Governor made some big news and made big promises yesterday.

October 14, 2025

Gov’s Signature on SB 63 Launches Campaign to Fund Transit

There will be a ballot measure to fund Bay Area transit in November of 2026. But now the real work begins: building support, gathering signatures, and getting a majority of voters to approve it.

October 14, 2025

Huntington and Fremont to get Complete Street Redesigns in South Pasadena

Early concepts portray lush, green streets - with pedestrian, bike, and bus facilities.

October 14, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

More on some of the legislation signed before the deadline, and we'll have a final wrap later today.

October 14, 2025
See all posts