Santa Monica Building New Bikeway, Safety Enhancements Near 17th Street Metro Expo Line

Citing an increase in crashes involving people on scooters and bikes near Metro Expo Line 17th Street, the city of Santa Monica has started construction on a new bikeway and other safety enhancement measures along 17th Street and adjacent roadways.

The construction project, which started last week, is divided into two major thoroughfares that meet at 17th Street and Michigan Avenue, city officials said.

On 17th Street, from Wilshire to Pico, city plans call for: a protected bikeway, pedestrian scale lighting on both sides of the street, curb extensions and upgraded ADA ramps, restriped crosswalks to include bike crosswalks with green, new bicycle signals and new protected intersections.

"These safety enhancements will make the street function better for people that walk, bike, scoot, or ride the bus," said city officials. "Traffic lanes will remain open at all times."

Along Michigan Avenue from 14th Street to 19th Street, the project includes extending the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway design and constructing safety enhancements "to make the street more conducive for pedestrian and bicycle traffic."

The Michigan project will add: curb extensions and new curb ramps at 14th and 15th Streets, mini traffic circles on 16th and 18th Streets to create a more calm and predictable flow, upgraded curb ramps throughout the area.

City officials said construction will take 12-15 months and occur in phases to reduce disruption. The first phase, which began last week along 17th St, between Olympic Blvd and Michigan Ave, will be completed in 4-5 weeks, said city officials.