By Christina Merino | cmerino@scng.com
UPDATED: September 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Protections will improve for pedestrians and cyclists along Pacific Avenue in the Wrigley neighborhood – thanks to federal funding for an infrastructure improvement project.
Long Beach received a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to enhance Pacific Avenue with new protected bike lanes, pedestrian crossings and other safety improvements, officials recently announced.
Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-San Pedro, advocated for the project and urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fund it through the department’s Safe Streets and Roads All grant program earlier this year, according to a press release. The program was established to advocate for community-led projects that reduce traffic collisions and improve safety for all road users.
“This critical infrastructure project will be a great addition for the City of Long Beach and the improved health and safety of its residents,” Barragán said in a statement.
“This federal funding will modernize a major corridor and improve connectivity to schools, parks, public transit stations and other key destinations between the Wrigley neighborhood and downtown Long Beach,” she added. “I was proud to advocate for this funding earlier this year to create safer streets for our communities in Long Beach.”
This federal investment will add two miles of protected bike lanes, eight pedestrian crossings, new transit stops and other upgrades to Pacific Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Wardlow Road, according to a press release.
This project is part of Long Beach’s citywide bikeway and pedestrian improvement goals for its Elevate 28 Infrastructure Investment Plan. Long Beach is also continuing to work on becoming a more bicycle-friendly city by 2040 through its Bicycle Master Plan.
“As we continue to elevate and improve Long Beach’s infrastructure,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a Sept. 10 press release, “projects like this will help create a healthier, more mobile community along a major corridor in West Long Beach.”
“When we invest in better infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, we create safer streets for everyone,” Richardson added. “Thank you to the U.S. Department of Transportation for this key funding and to Congresswoman Barragán for her advocacy in favor of this project.”