The Los Angeles City Council’s Transportation Committee is looking into closing Yucca Street in Hollywood to through traffic permanently. The permanent closure would span from Las Palmas Avenue on the west and Whitley Avenue on the east.

The Los Angeles City Council is considering more traffic controls on Yucca Street in Hollywood to make the street more bicycle-friendly. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

Currently, the city has placed temporary street bollards to prevent through traffic at the intersections of Las Palmas, Cherokee and Whitley avenues. However, the bollards are aging and becoming unsightly.

“It needs to be refreshed,” Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th District, said.

He said that originally, the bollards were installed to prevent illegal activity, such as the sale of narcotics in the area. Though the area is no longer a “very tough neighborhood,” council members are hoping to use the traffic calming measures to promote bicycling, LaBonge said.

“We’re encouraging it in all areas,” he said.

Yucca already includes sharrows, or lanes with pavement markings for bicyclists and vehicles, according to city documents. The transportation committee requested the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to come up with recommendations regarding the permanent closure of Yucca to vehicle traffic and promote pedestrian and vehicle traffic, whether it is through traffic diverters or other fixed devices.

“We’ve heard concerns from residents about the existing configuration, and want to look at ways to improve safety and reduce cut-through traffic in the neighborhood,” Councilmember Eric Garcetti, 13th District, said. “This could also be an opportunity to create a safer thoroughfare for bicycles and we want to pursue that too.”

The motion is consistent with the city’s 2010 Bicycle Plan, which promotes traffic calming efforts on neighborhood streets to reduce vehicle speeds and encourage walking and bicycling.