Jun 30 '09 - 444 W - Vote Good + 3 :: Bad - 7 GARCETTI, REYES DEDICATE NEW ELYSIAN VALLEY BIKE PATH
Released June 29, 2009
ELYSIAN VALLEY -- Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Ed Reyes broke ground on the new Elysian Valley Bike Path along the west bank of the Los Angeles River this morning. The new path will extend the existing bikeway by 2.5 miles south from its current end at Fletcher Drive to Barclay Street. The project will repave the existing asphalt and add striping and a barrier along the river. It will add sustainable landscaping and two new pocket parks along the path’s south side at Gatewood Street and at Fernleaf street. When the extension is completed, the bike path along the L.A. River will total eight miles.
“The Elysian Valley Bike Path will revitalize the river by making it safer and easier to bike along it,” said Eric Garcetti. “When this path is completed, more people will be able to enjoy this community resource.”
“Every piece of bike path, including the Elysian Valley Bike Path, contributes to the greater vision for a mountains-to-sea greenway," said Councilmember Ed P. Reyes. "The Elysian Valley bikeway is key to our Los Angeles River revitalization plan, too. The bike path is a recreational amenity to be enjoyed by our community, as well as an important transportation link for commuter cyclists."
“Riding along the path, everyone will be able to enjoy L.A.'s natural beauty, stay healthy and reduce traffic congestion - all at the same time,” said L.A. Department of Transportation General Manager Rita L. Robinson.
Previously, the path was an asphalt easement owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, but the City of Los Angeles in collaboration with the Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority worked to acquire the rights from 74 easements along the property.
“The project is a clear example of the intent of the River revitalization plan because not only does it provide public access and recreation, but most importantly it provides people the ability to experience nature and get the larger ecological connection with the river,” said Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Chief of Urban Projects in Watershed Division Barbara Romero.
"The Bureau of Engineering is pleased to have played a role in implementing this key phase of the Los Angeles River Bike Path plan, and we look forward to being of help in future phases as well," said City Engineer Gary Lee Moore.
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