Los Angeles city leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to mark the official opening of 2.1 miles of protected bike lanes in Hollywood – a project that is already polarizing.
One lane of vehicle travel in each direction of Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and Hillhurst Avenue has been eliminated for the new lanes. The $500,000 project, part of the city’s Access to Hollywood revitalization, is designed to make the street safer and give residents more options to get around.
“Hollywood Boulevard has seen some of the worst traffic violence in this entire city,” said L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman. “The high speeds, beyond their effect on human health and safety, they negatively impact businesses. They negatively impact the community. It made for an unpleasant experience.”
“By prioritizing safety along this iconic corridor, we’re building Hollywood around people and giving Hollywood Boulevard the remake it deserves,” said Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, who championed the project.
Critics, however, include Hollywood commuters and local residents who complain that removing vehicle lanes has caused major backups on and off Hollywood Boulevard.
“It’s bumper to bumper to bumper to bumper on weekends and during rush hour on weekdays, forcing traffic into these small residential side streets,” Scott Meyers, who lives in Beachwood Canyon, told KTLA 5 News.
Drivers also point out that the new lanes, which are blocked by white plastic posts, enable homeless encampments to spill from sidewalks onto the street, where they now enjoy some protection from cars.
Not coincidentally, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’s office announced Thursday that more than 35 homeless people who once lived along Hollywood Boulevard were moved into temporary shelters this week as part of the mayor’s Inside Safe program.
“This was the largest single encampment in Hollywood, and now the people who were living there are able to sleep safely and are on the pathway to permanent housing,” said Soto-Martínez. “Our collaboration with Mayor Bass and the community is proving that we can turn around the homelessness crisis and transform Hollywood.”