A construction bid for transportation infrastructure improvements easing residents’ path to Glendale’s train station was awarded by the City Council this week.
For $3,478,900, Long Beach-based Excel Paving Co. will begin to handle the project in October and is expected to wrap up work by February. The city received seven bids for the work, which will include road rehabilitation and, notably, the installation of bike lanes along numerous roadways.
These bike paths are intended to improve access to and from the city’s Larry Zarian Transportation Center, a link to the greater rail network in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is contributing more than $1.5 million toward the project.
“The cornerstone of making transit more available and more convenient is the first mile-last mile,” said Councilman Ara Najarian, who also serves on L.A. Metro’s board of directors. “Often those are the toughest miles, to either get to the train station or to get back home once you disembark the train.”
Street rehabilitation and paving is planned for Los Feliz Road from San Fernando Road to the city limit; Gardena Avenue from Los Feliz to Central Avenue; Gardena from Central to its cul-de-sac; Railroad Street; Central from San Fernando and Railroad; El Bonito Avenue, Cerritos Avenue and Mira Loma Avenue from San Fernando and Gardena; and San Fernando from Los Feliz and Brand Boulevard.
A variety of class 2, 3 and 4 bike lanes — classifications that include lanes that share a route with autos and dedicated bicycle lanes — are slated to be installed in Los Feliz, Cerritos, Central and Gardena as part of the project, including the first protected bikeway in the city.
Additionally, 24 new trees will be planted as part of the project, and around 3,000 recycled vehicle tires will be used in the asphalt replacement portions of work.
Najarian indicated hope for additional so-called active transportation measures in future projects.
“I know the bike lanes aren’t as far as we would like them to be, but it’s a step,” he added.
