Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, announced on Dec. 6 a series of road and safety improvements on Sixth Street between Fairfax and La Brea avenues that his office will undertake.

Sixth Street, from La Brea to Fairfax avenues, will receive safety upgrades. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The announcement follows a survey period during which residents provided feedback about two possible plans the councilman had been considering. Survey results indicated support for the plan he had been leaning toward.

It includes left turn lanes at Sixth Street’s intersections with La Brea Avenue and Hauser Boulevard, continental crosswalks and other intersection-specific improvements.

The other option, endorsed by the Mid City West Community Council, would have created a road diet, reducing the number of traffic lanes to one eastbound, one westbound and one center median, with bicycle lanes on both sides.

“Of the 712 responses received, approximately 60 percent of respondents stated their support for a variety of intersection-specific road improvements, including continental crosswalks, left-hand turn pockets at Sixth Street and Hauser [Boulevard], improved visibility and peak-hour turn restrictions,” Ryu’s letter said. “Roughly 37 percent expressed support for a proposed ‘road diet’ (the above listed improvements as well as reduction of eastbound and westbound vehicle lanes; installation of eastbound and westbound bicycle lanes). Nearly 85 percent of respondents stated that a car is their primary mode of transportation, and more than 50 percent noted that congestion on Sixth Street between Fairfax and La Brea avenues is their primary concern.”

The current layout of Sixth Street has led to several accidents involving drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. One accident involved a 74-year-old woman who was killed in 2012 after a car struck her near the intersection of Sixth Street and Hauser Boulevard.

The plan endorsed by Mid City West was put forward for the councilman’s consideration in September 2016. But Estevan Montemayor, Ryu’s director of communications, said Ryu was leaning against a road diet that could divert traffic to another east-west street, such as Eighth Street, creating the same problems elsewhere.

“Over the next few weeks, my office will be working with LADOT, LAPD and the Bureau of Street Services to finalize the list of recommended roadway improvements and begin installation,” Ryu said. “I would like to thank you for your input and patience throughout this process. It is incredibly important that transparency, accountability and the needs and views of all Council District Four residents be included in the decision-making process.”