The city of Los Angeles has received $3.1 million in state funding for pedestrian safety improvements around Hollywood High School and Selma Avenue Elementary School, and will be working with school staff and parents in the near future to determine the best use for the funding.

Students cross Highland Avenue on their way to Hollywood High School on Wednesday morning. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, said the funding could potentially be used for a variety of safety measures, such as enhanced crosswalks, signage and signals. The funding comes from the Safe Routes to School program.

O’Farrell said he is also working with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to complete a traffic study for a potential signal on Vine Street between Willoughby and Melrose avenues that would make it safer to cross near Larchmont Charter School. Funding for that project could come from the city’s Hollywood Mobility Fund or other sources.

“We are leveraging all resources to improve safety around schools,” O’Farrell said. “Hollywood has these resources, and there is such a need for them in Hollywood.”

Brad Smith, an environmental health and safety supervisor for the LAUSD who oversees traffic safety programs, said the state funding for schools in Hollywood is exciting news.

“Hollywood High School and Selma Avenue Elementary School are the LADOT’s number one priority sites,” Smith said. “There is a huge amount of traffic around the schools based on density. Kids walk to school. There is a lot of work traffic and traffic accidents. Anything we can do to improve the safety for students is a positive thing.”

Smith said the funding could potentially be used for continental crosswalks, which have large painted stripes that make them more visible. Signs warning motorists about schools and other measures, such as “bulb outs,” which are sidewalks that extend outward at intersections, allowing greater visibility of pedestrians, could also be installed.

Smith said it is the first time the district will benefit from the funding, so he could not be more specific about how it will be used. The funding for Hollywood is part of $17.5 million in state grants for traffic safety improvements the LADOT has received in 2014 for schools throughout the city.

The principals for Hollywood High School and Selma Avenue elementary schools declined to comment on the funding. However, a spokeswoman for the LAUSD said school officials are optimistic about the potential for increasing school safety.

“We are planning out strategically what is needed for the community and the best use of traffic funds. It is something we look forward to seeing,” LAUSD spokeswoman Ellen Morgan said. “We look forward to working with the council office to identify the needs around the schools. We certainly appreciate the news of additional safety resources.”

There is no timeline for determining how the funds will be spent, but O’Farrell said traffic safety in Hollywood is a significant concern, and he is eager to quickly move forward on school safety projects.

“It has been a priority of mine since taking office,” O’Farrell added.