According to the City, an approximately 1-mile section of 7th Street, between Alamitos Avenue and Junipero Avenue, will be improved. Work is expected to start in mid-July, and is estimated to be completed by October and is funded from Proposition C, passed by Los Angeles County voters in November of 1990, which initiated a half-cent tax hike to allocate funds for various transportation projects throughout the county.
Along with new asphalt, paver crosswalks, and the extension of a traffic signal interconnect system to better manage and synchronize traffic flow, existing damage to the curbs, gutters, and sidewalks plan to be replaced as well. Furthermore, existing curb ramps that are not compliant with current disabled access regulations will be improved to current standards.
All of the asphalt material removed under this project will be recycled into new asphalt or utilized as base material on other street projects. Road base material used on the project will come from recycled concrete, rock, sand, and asphalt. Hot Mix Asphalt used in this project will come from scrap tire rubber.
New concrete paver crosswalks will be constructed in the intersections of 7th Street at Alamitos Avenue, Cerritos Avenue, Orange Avenue, Nebraska Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Cherry Avenue, and Junipero Avenue.
New bus street pads will be constructed at all bus stop locations within the project.
Traffic control will be in place to provide safety for motorists and workers. Lane closures will be required during construction, and while the roads will stay open during working hours, motors can expect some traffic delays. Therefore, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes, when possible.
Potential crosswalk enhancements and other special features will be funded through one-time oil money contributed by the Vice Mayor Lowenthal and Councilmember Garcia. There will be no impact to the City’s General Fund.
A second phase is planned to extend the improvements to Long Beach Boulevard.