Los Angeles County officials want to build a $30 million, 2.6-mile bikeway along both sides of Rosemead Boulevard from Gallatin Road in Pico Rivera to Rush Street in South El Monte.
In addition to the cost of the bikeway, the money would pay for pavement reconstruction and reconfiguration of the interchange at the 60 Freeway, Dave MacGregor, deputy director for Los Angeles County Public Works Department, said in an email.
“The project will enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along Rosemead Boulevard and improve nonvehicular access to the various recreational destinations,” MacGregor wrote.
Those recreational destinations within the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area include Legg Lake, playgrounds, multiple soccer and softball/baseball fields, walking trails, the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, the San Gabriel River Bike Path, the Lario Trail and the Rio Hondo Bike Path, he said.
Rosemead, which is a state highway, carries a lot of traffic, about 30,000 vehicles a day at the intersection with the 60 Freeway and about 47,000 vehicles a day at Rush Street.
Bike riders and pedestrians would be kept safe by separating the bikeway with a buffer that would vary in width and include a vertical element, such as a raised island or flexible posts, McGregor wrote.
However, the county still needs to raise most of the money for the project. A $1 million grant was secured from the state’s Active Transportation Program to fund project design and secure environmental clearance.
In addition, Rep. Linda T. Sánchez, D-Norwalk, inserted $1.5 million into the House of Representatives Democratic fiscal 2022 spending bill, approved on a 219-208 vote on Thursday, July 29. It now goes to the U.S. Senate.
Still, a county fact sheet on the project said construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and be complete in 2026.
Council members in Pico Rivera and South El Monte praised the project.
“I think it’s a great deal for pedestrians and bike riders,” South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos said. “It’s a great way to get people out from indoors, and people can social distance with their bikes.”
Pico Rivera Councilman Andrew Lara agreed.
“I welcome any type of investment that will bring people to Pico Rivera,” Lara said. “It comes right to our front door.”
Former Whittier Councilman Allan Zolnekoff, who led the fight to build his city’s Greenway Trail and is a bike rider himself, predicted a bikeway would be warmly received.
“Rosemead sounds like a great place,” Zolnekoff said. “People would use it for real transportation, getting to work, getting to Azusa Canyon, jumping on the San Gabriel River and getting to Seal Beach.”
Eds note: The story has been edited to say it was the House of Representatives Democratic fiscal 2022 spending bill.
