The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has received $18 million as part of the 2021 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant program from the United States Department of Transportation.

The LADOT proposal was selected as one of 24 projects awarded in 18 states out of 157 eligible applicants. In addition to creating local jobs and improving infrastructure, the 2021 INFRA grants were awarded for projects that address climate change, environmental justice and racial equity.

“When the administration put out the call for new thinking on infrastructure, Los Angeles was ready to deliver,” LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said. “We know that how we invest in transportation has far-reaching impacts on economic growth, the safety of streets and the health of communities. I want to thank USDOT for supporting our vision and helping us with these investments for Los Angeles communities.”

LADOT’s INFRA grant will fund the Community Infrastructure and Resiliency Zone Project, which addresses the impacts of the national highway system in South Los Angeles. By focusing on South L.A., the CIRZ Project underscores the need to invest in neighborhoods that have experienced historic injustice and includes funding for many projects.  Specifically, the grant will improve safety by funding 26 new traffic signals and installing new technology that will allow pedestrians additional time to cross at 90 intersections.

“This funding supports our larger efforts to address nearly a half-century of disinvestment in our South Los Angeles neighborhoods and its infrastructure,” said Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 8th District. “The investment will augment the work we’ve done to address racial equity and environmental justice with the installation of protected bike lanes, enhanced street lighting and the addition of trees and high visibility crosswalks.”

LADOT has reported that South Los Angeles accounts for a disproportionate number of traffic deaths in Los Angeles. While most areas of Los Angeles experienced significant declines in traffic volumes and fatal crashes in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, South L.A. experienced traffic volumes consistent with prior years and an increase in traffic deaths.

For information, visit ladot.lacity.org.