LADOT pedals new plans to advance their "road diet" agenda for Fletcher Drive

Voting board at the Fletcher Drive/Vision Zero July 19th meeting. Most attendees voted "no" on the road diet proposals and/or voted for other ideas. 

Voting board at the Fletcher Drive/Vision Zero July 19th meeting. Most attendees voted "no" on the road diet proposals and/or voted for other ideas. 

L.A.'s Department of Transportation (LADOT) presented their newest vision for Atwater's section of Fletcher Drive at their July 19th public meeting. They presented three alternative plans to improve overall safety on Fletcher Drive between San Fernando Road and the 5 Interstate Freeway. Two plans include a "road diet" or vehicular traffic lane reduction, while the 3rd includes removing all on-street parking.

All proposals include an assortment of improved crosswalks, traffic signals, and signage. The plans are: 

Alternative #1 – includes a full traffic lane reduction from the current four lanes to two. It also includes a dedicated bike lane, adding a left-turn lane, and preserving all on-street parking.

Alternative #2 - includes preserving all four traffic lanes, adding a dedicated left-turn lane and removing all on-street parking. 

Alternative #3 - includes a partial traffic lane reduction on the south side of Fletcher Drive. It would reduce traffic lanes from two lanes to one for those driving towards San Fernando Road. It will keep the existing two traffic lanes on the north side for those driving towards the 5 Interstate Freeway. This plan will also add a dedicated left-turn lane and preserve all on-street parking.

LADOT will hold a 3rd public meeting on August 2nd. 

What: Fletcher Drive "Road Diet" / Vision Zero Meeting
When: Wednesday, August 2nd, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Modernica, 2805 Gilroy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039

FLETCHER DRIVE ALERT: LADOT TO HOLD 2ND PUBLIC MEETING ON ROAD DIET

Local community residents and business owners are strongly encouraged to attend!

L.A.'s Department of Transportation (LADOT) will hold a 2nd public meeting on July 19th about their efforts to impose a "road diet," and other safety improvements, on Fletcher Drive. (See below for meeting information).  Their safety improvement plans to-date include a "road diet" or vehicular traffic lane reduction from the current four (4) lane to a two (2) lane configuration. (Click here for more information on LADOT's current design plans)

Also, LADOT has taken new action to advance their concept for Fletcher Drive and limit community feedback. This past June 21st LADOT applied for a statutory exemption in an effort to prevent a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for their project. An EIR serves to inform government agencies and the public of a project's impact on the local community. It is also essential to adequately study the project and force mitigations and alternatives, which may reduce or avoid any significant adverse effects.

Local community stakeholders need to attend this meeting and voice support for improving safety for everyone on Fletcher Drive while preserving full vehicular access.

What: Fletcher Drive "Road Diet" / Vision Zero Meeting
When: Wednesday, July 19th 5-7pm
Where: Atwater Avenue Elementary School
3271 Silver Lake Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Parking - 2 lots on Perlita Ave.

Call for common-sense alternative to improve safety on Fletcher Drive

Advocate City Hall today! Voice your support for a sensible design plan to improve road safety for everyone. (see below for online petition and emails/sample text)

On June 13th the City's Department of Transportation (LADOT) presented two alternative design plans to bring pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements to Fletcher Drive; between San Fernando Road and the 5 Interstate Freeway. LADOT drafted these plans without any community input, and both plans include a "road diet" or vehicular traffic lane reduction from the current four (4) lane to a two (2) lane configuration. (Click here for more information on LADOT's proposed plans).

LADOT's design plans fail to take into account that Fletcher Drive is major vehicular artery for local drivers and far-flung commuters and a vital access route to geographically isolated residential areas. Fletcher Drive also provides critical access to local businesses for consumers and workers; as well as access to and from the 5 Interstate and the California State 2 Freeways for surrounding communities.

Any traffic lane reduction for the benefit of only a daily handful of cyclists on Fletcher Drive will only exacerbate unsafe road conditions for everyone. It will increase the area's traffic congestion, limit access to local businesses and further isolate residential areas in Atwater Village and Elysian Valley. The result would be more traffic congestion, less road safety for everyone and a loss of income for small businesses.

The Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) calls for the LADOT to create a new and practical design plan, based on the input of bona-fide local stakeholders, to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety on Fletcher Drive. We urge LADOT and decision-makers to support a design plan that will: 1) preserve all four (4) traffic lanes, 2) maintain left-hand turns to residential streets, 3) keep some on-street parking and 4) improve existing crosswalks and traffic intersections.

Lend your voice in support of a sensible design plan to improve road safety for everyone. Advocate City Hall today to express your support for improving safety for everyone on Fletcher Drive while preserving full vehicular access.

As of July 18th, 2017 we have stopped collecting petitions. Thank you.

LADOT design plans for traffic lane reduction on Fletcher Drive

plans.jpg

The City’s Department of Transportation (LADOT) is presently considering two alternative design plans to bring pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements to Atwater's section of Fletcher Drive; between San Fernando Road and the 5 Interstate Freeway. Both plans include a "road diet" or vehicular traffic lane reduction.

LADOT developed the plans without any community input, the plans are:

Alternative 1 – This includes an “off-peak lane configuration” in which vehicular traffic lanes would alternate from 2 to 1 throughout the day depending on “high peak” or “low peak” traffic flow. During “high peak” 2 traffic lanes would be available for vehicle use while prohibiting all on-street parking.  Alternatively, during “low peak” only 1 traffic lane would be available for vehicle use and on-street parking will be allowed.

Alternative 2 -  This includes a permanent traffic lane reduction from the current 2 lanes to 1. It also includes a dedicated bike lane and on-street parking.

Currently, there is no 3rd design plan and it is unknown whether LADOT will develop a new plan based on direct community input.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DESIGN PLANS (LARGE PDF FILE)

LADOT is holding a community meeting in Glassell Park to discuss design plans and hear from the community. 

What: Fletcher Drive – “Vision Zero” Meeting
When: Tuesday, June 13th, 2017 –6pm to 8pm
Where: Goodwill Community Enrichment Center, 3150 N. San Fernando Rd (Blair Pence Room)