City Hall attempts to make street safer for pedestrians
By Daily Press staff
More than 25 “traffic islands” from Lincoln Boulevard to Franklin Avenue are being built to serve as safe havens for pedestrians and to slow cars down.
During construction, which will last about a month, the “pedestrian improvements” seem to working to slow cars down. Traffic is routinely backed up for blocks as a result of the work.
The islands — fully landscaped — will be similar to the ones placed in other areas of town like Ocean Park Boulevard near the airport.
Traffic islands inherently slow down traffic because it appears the street is narrower. However, it’s not. Wilshire Boulevard will remain two lanes in each direction, according to Beth Rolandson, a city senior transportation planner. Parking along the street also will remain in tact.
At the beginning of next week, the curbs for the medians will be built. Landscaping work will take until the middle of July, when the project is expected to be completed.
Sidewalk curb ramps at areas that do not have traffic signals already have been built and are designed to line up with the islands, which will break at alleys and intersections.
The construction is part of a multi-year and multi-million city pedestrian improvement plan. Wilshire is part of phase 2, which also includes improvements to Broadway, Santa Monica and Ocean Park boulevards and 26th Street.
Phase 2, expected to cost $4.8 million is 75 percent funded by state transportation money. Santa Monica City Hall is picking up the other 25 percent of the cost.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 12, 2003. Read the original PDF.