Traffic safety signals, sustainable landscaping, and new bike lanes are key features of transformation
Today’s mid-morning gray skies were brightened by a vibrant ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the transformation of a stretch of road pertaining to highly transited Huntington Drive into a red-carpet experience, multi-modal experience.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, along with Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, City of Arcadia’s Mayor Paul Cheng, Mayor Pro Tem April Verlato, Councilmember Eileen Wang, community members, and cycling enthusiasts from Active SGV and Monrovia’s Ride On Cycling, all gathered at Michillinda Park to inaugurate the Huntington Drive Median and Roadway Reconstruction Project.
The project started construction in February 2022 and is located in the unincorporated area lying between the cities of San Marino and Arcadia, between San Gabriel Boulevard and Michillinda Park. Improvements were designed after soliciting community input, resulting in a resurfaced roadway, installation of buffered bike lanes and a new traffic signal system. New sustainable, drought tolerant landscaping for the center median also now stands out – a feature that will capture stormwater, treat it, and help provide sustainable water supply for the native plant palette.
According to Los Angeles County’s Public Works, this stretch of Huntington Drive accommodates a staggering 15,000 vehicles daily – which equals more than 1,000 vehicles during peak hours.
As the morning unfolded, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who arrived at the event on her own bicycle, shared her enthusiasm. “The completion of this project brings a wave of improvements to the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Supervisor Barger. “Traffic will flow smoother, cyclists will have dedicated space to ride, and pedestrians will navigate their neighborhood streets with additional buffers. These improvements are also aligned with the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce and eliminate traffic fatalities on our roadways.” Supervisor Barger commended the Department of Public Works “for finishing the project on time and on budget.”
Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella described the project’s larger impact. “This $8.9 million investment by Supervisor Barger and Public Works are not just mere upgrades,” said Director Pestrella. “It’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to enhance communities. We’re bolstering street safety with a state-of-the-art traffic signal at the intersection of Muscatel Ave and Huntington Drive. We are also addressing climate resiliency. We revamped the Huntington Drive iconic median by removing 2.5 acres of turf and replacing it with drought-tolerant landscaping, including 29 new trees, 3,800 native plants, and a new waste-wise drip irrigation system. This state-of-the-art infrastructure will persist for decades to come.”
Local community member, Mr. Darren Manibog, who juggles the roles of husband, father of five, lawyer, and vigilant community member, shared his personal take on the value the project offers the surrounding neighborhoods. “As a father, safety is my topmost concern,” said Mr. Manibog. “The fact that our community had a significant say in shaping this project’s design gives me immense relief. This isn’t just an upgrade – it’s a gift of safety to our neighborhood.”
After a ribbon cutting, the spirit of the cycling community shone brightly as a bicycle ride led by Active SGV and Supervisor Barger made its way down the newly resurfaced streets. Some community members joined the bicycle ride by using e-bikes rentals available by Active SGV’s “Go SGV” electric bike share program. Photos of the ribbon cutting and celebration are available here.