Bowing to Pressure, City Announces Public Hearing for Hyperion Bridge Re-Design

As if anyone needed more proof that the malcontents protesting the dangerous proposed redesign of the Glendale-Hyperion Series of Bridges that would turn the historic Glendale Bridge into a mini-freeway across the L.A. River were making progress; proof came late last week.

Bowing to pressure from elected leaders, news outlets, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), and a rag-tag group of concerned citizens organizing on Facebook; the City of Los Angeles announced a public hearing to receive comments on the proposal and extended the public comment period until November 7.

The hearing will be next Monday, October 28, at 6 pm at the Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive in Los Angeles near the west end of the bridge.

Local community advocates and safe street advocates have found common cause fighting a redesign for the Hyperion Bridge that widens the mixed-use travel lanes without adding bicycle lanes or widening the sidewalks as required by the 2010 City of Los Angeles Bicycle Plan. Instead of addressing this short coming, the environmental documents lazily declare the design to be in compliance.

When challenged, city staff point to improvements happening on other bridges as part of the project that would require cyclists to travel well out of their way to access them.

The hearing promises to be a well-attended one, despite the relatively short notice.As Streetsblog has noted, the advocates have already generated hundreds of comments, moved at least two elected officials, received the support of Neighborhood Council sub-committees with votes scheduled by the full Councils.

In addition to regular coverage on Streetsblog, the movement has garnered negative press for the proposed redesign on KPCC, L.A. Weekly, Biking in L.A. and Bike Talk.