Traffic safety projects, and with it the city of Los Angeles' Vision Zero and Great Streets initiatives, have been dealt disappointing setbacks in recent months.
"Faced with an ongoing furor over traffic congestion and so-called 'road diets,' Los Angeles officials announced they will restore car lanes removed from two Playa del Rey boulevards earlier this year," reports David Zahniser.
"Traffic crews will add back a single westbound vehicle lane to Jefferson and Culver boulevards, the latest reversal in a coastal district represented by Councilman Mike Bonin," adds Zahniser.
Councilmember Bonin has been on the front lines of a controversy over road diets and congestion that Planetizen has been watching since June 2017, when commuters raised a stink about traffic calming projects in the neighborhood of Playa del Rey. The road diet on Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey was reversed in July, and news later broke about a recall effort targeting Councilmember Bonin.
According to Zahniser, the councilmember has since convened a community task force looking at street safety and complaints about traffic congestion from residents and business owners. The task force recommended the reversal of the road diets on Jefferson and Culver boulevards.
FULL STORY: L.A. reworks another 'road diet,' restoring car lanes in Playa del Rey
Los Angeles Can't Stick to its Road Diet
A high-profile controversy over a decision by the city of Los Angeles to remove a vehicle lane in either direction has finally come to an end. The vehicle lanes will be restored.
Editorial: Ambitious Plans Don't Work Without Political Leadership
The Los Angeles Times critiques the political culture in Los Angeles. In this case, it's the failure of a road diet project that provoked the criticism, but these lessons apply to the city's bicycle plans and homeless housing plans, too.
Los Angeles Councilmember Chooses the Side of Traffic Safety
Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin sent a clear message to commuters upset about traffic calming projects in his district: "We don’t have to lose one more precious life."
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan
The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
Baltimore Ordered to Improve Sidewalk Accessibility
The city is one of many to face lawsuits for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This Toronto Suburb Has More Bus Riders Than Columbus, Ohio
Brampton, Ontario used gradual improvements in service to prove that if you build it, they will ride.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service