WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood has completed the installation of four signalized crosswalks on Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard. Canyon News received a press release from Joshua Schare, Communications Manager for the city of West Hollywood which revealed that new signals will go into operation on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16. The signalized crosswalks are located at the following intersections:
-Palm Avenue;
-Hancock Avenue;
-Westmount Drive; and
-West Knoll Drive.
The Santa Monica Boulevard crosswalk signalization project will also involve the completion of new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, curb ramps, electrical connections, pavement, traffic signage, traffic striping pavement markings, and modified concrete median islands.
“The constant movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrians in close proximity is an ongoing challenge in the City of West Hollywood and in cities across the nation,” states the press release. West Hollywood is looking at a variety of measures to address pedestrian safety and manage traffic congestion. The crosswalk signalization project is part of the West Hollywood’s Engineering plan for pedestrian safety. This part of a three-part plan — Engineering, Enforcement, and Education —was approved by the West Hollywood City Council back in 2014.
Additional engineering enhancements put in place during the past 3 years include: 1) In-street pedestrian crosswalk signage, which are bright neon yellow vertical signs posted at lane lines to warn drivers that it is “State Law to Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk,” and 2) Reflective raised pavement markers installed at edges of crosswalks, which help to alert motorists of crosswalk locations.
West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) team and Community Impact Team (CIT) will regularly conduct crosswalk operations at various locations throughout the region in an effort to improve pedestrian safety, as part of the City’s Enforcement plan for pedestrian safety.
When asked if the city plans to implement more signalized pedestrian crosswalks throughout the city, Joshua Schare informed Canyon News, “Yes. The next crosswalk improvement project will take place on the east side of the City of West Hollywood at Greenacre Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, adjacent to Movietown Plaza/Trader Joe’s.”
“A study of crosswalks throughout the City identified 10 crosswalks along Santa Monica Boulevard to receive improvements at the following intersections: La Peer Drive, Palm Avenue, Hancock Avenue, Westmount Drive, West Knoll Drive, Hayworth Avenue, Orange Grove Avenue, Ogden Drive, Greenacre Avenue, and Poinsettia Place,” Schare told Canyon News.
In October 2014, West Hollywood, as part of its Education plan for pedestrian safety, initiated a comprehensive crosswalk safety campaign with its goal to encourage drivers and pedestrians to be more attentive to crosswalks and to halt the usage of digital distractions, such as text messages, emails, and social media. For additional information about the city of West Hollywood’s efforts to ensure pedestrian safety and safety tips for walkers, visit www.weho.org/pedestriansafety.
For additional information about the crosswalk signalization project, contact the city of West Hollywood’s Department of Public Works at (323) 848-6375. For people who are deaf or hearing impaired, contact TTY (323) 848-6496.
