7/27/2019 10.09.2013 Hyperion Bridge Bike Lane Support
Letter
1/2
STATE CAPITOL
P.O. BOX 942849
SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0043
(916) 319-2043
FAX (916) 319-2143
DISTRICT OFFICE
300 EAST MAGNOLIA BLVD.
SUITE 504
BURBANK, CA 91502
(818) 558-3043
FAX: (818) 558-3042 MIKEGATTOASSEMBLYMEMBER, FORTY-THIRD
DISTRICT
COMMITTEES:
APPROPRIATIONS
BANKING AND FINANCE
TRANSPORTATION
WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIF
October 9, 2013
Ms. Tami Podesta, Branch Chief
Division of Environmental Planning
California Department of Transportation District 7
100 South Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
Dear Ms. Podesta,
I am writing as an elected official and concerned citizen to
support the inclusion of bicycle lanes
in the proposed project to modernize the Hyperion Avenue
viaduct. The Hyperion Avenue
viaduct and the surrounding communities of Atwater Village,
Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Glendale
are within the boundaries of the 43rd Assembly District, which I
represent. The Hyperion
Avenue Bridge plays a critical role in connecting these
communities.
I am concerned that the current project proposal would create
something freeway-like, in an
area where such a structure is not needed, wanted, or safe. A
freeway-like bridge would also
encourage unsafe automobile speeds and would fail to create a
multi-modal transit route,
which locals want and deserve.
I applaud the current proposal for its improvements to the LA
River Bike Path, particularly the
completion of the interchange between the Bike Path and Glendale
Boulevard. However, local
access improvements on one end of a project area are
insufficient without a bridge project that
provides safe accommodation between Silver Lake and Atwater
Village. Without
accommodations on Hyperion Avenue, cyclists who wish to travel
east-west and cross the Los
Angeles River and the 5 Freeway, will continue to face dangerous
obstacles and significant
inconvenience.
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition has proposed an
alternative design that provides asafer facility for all users and
creates space for increased cycling and pedestrian facilities
without decreasing automobile capacity. By lowering the design
speed, removing the median
crash barrier, not super-elevating turns, and striping urban
lane widths, motorists will not be
encouraged to pick up speed before entering the residential
neighborhoods on either end of
the viaduct. Community stakeholders consistently reiterated the
need for calmer traffic
conditions on the viaduct during project scoping, and I agree.
As long as we can keep
automotive traffic moving and provide safe bike lanes, we will
have succeeded in the redesign.
7/27/2019 10.09.2013 Hyperion Bridge Bike Lane Support
Letter
2/2
STATE CAPITOL
P.O. BOX 942849
SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0043
(916) 319-2043
FAX (916) 319-2143
DISTRICT OFFICE
300 EAST MAGNOLIA BLVD.
SUITE 504
BURBANK, CA 91502
(818) 558-3043
FAX: (818) 558-3042 MIKEGATTOASSEMBLYMEMBER, FORTY-THIRD
DISTRICT
COMMITTEES:
APPROPRIATIONS
BANKING AND FINANCE
TRANSPORTATION
WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIF
As a state legislator and community member, I look forward to
working with you to create a
proposal that meets the needs of this modern urban transit route
for automobiles, cyclists, and
pedestrians. Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
If my office can be of
assistance during these processes, please do not hesitate to
call.
Sincerely,
Mike Gatto
Assemblyman, 43rd District
