Eyes on the Street: Repaved Ocean Ave. Harbinger for Raised Median Bikeway

Early this morning when I met my running group at Ocean and Arizona Avenues, our usual parking and meeting area was noticeably changed. Ocean Ave was covered in new, smooth, blacktop and the road markings were mostly gone with spray painted lines marking future bike lanes, crosswalks and other road markings.

When the road project is completed, it will feature a raised curb median for the protected bikeway, a notable improvement from the “paint and post” protection that existed earlier this week.

In addition, the boardwalk that was installed at the beginning of COVID on the east side of Ocean Ave. was removed. Individual businesses are being encouraged to have permanent parklets in that same space. A “substantial” amount of parking is being added back along the route as well.

There are no changes planned for the amount of lanes for either mixed-use or bicycles.

The nicer photo is from Juana Leal. The gloomier one is mine.

About The Author

Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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