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We are disappointed to learn that Councilmember Kerr has downgraded the Orange Ave Backbone bikeway from a protected bikeway to unprotected bike lanes in the door zone.
Orange Ave. Backbone Project Update, Oct. 2025 Good afternoon Neighbors, Thank you for your continued patience as we awaited further details and next steps regarding the status of the Orange Ave. Backbone Bikeway project. In keeping with my commitment to keep interested parties informed of this city project, I am reaching out with the latest update. Today, Oct. 14, 2025, Public Works has officially shared their final recommendation and intentions to move forward with Alternative 2. After Public Works shared their original recommendation of Alternative 3, I listened to the feedback and concerns brought forth by invested neighbors, and met with the impacted residents of Orange Ave., hearing your concerns about parking, access, and general safety. As feedback and preferences continued to pour in with a significant majority showing preference for Alternative 2, I shared this with Public Works, advocating for the concerns and desires of the community. Public Works responded to feedback and has changed their recommendation to move forward with Alternative 2 for the stretch of Orange Ave. between Wardlow Rd. & Bixby Rd. The plan for the remainder of the 8.6-mile transformative corridor project, north of Bixby Rd. to Jackson St. and south of Wardlow Rd. to Ocean Blvd., remains unchanged. More details on the entire corridor project can be found on the project webpage. Earlier today, my team and I brought Public Works leadership to a meeting with Judson and Sue, your neighbors who took a strong lead on gathering and sharing feedback from residents on Orange Ave., as well as couple of members of the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association Executive Board. During the meeting, Public Works shared their latest update with these neighborhood leaders directly, to provide an overview of the changed recommendation and an anticipated timeline for the next steps of project implementation. Be on the lookout for an additional email from Public Works tomorrow as they will provide more detail… Earlier today, my team and I brought Public Works leadership to a meeting with Judson and Sue, your neighbors who took a strong lead on gathering and sharing feedback from residents on Orange Ave., as well as couple of members of the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association Executive Board. During the meeting, Public Works shared their latest update with these neighborhood leaders directly, to provide an overview of the changed recommendation and an anticipated timeline for the next steps of project implementation. Be on the lookout for an additional email from Public Works tomorrow as they will provide more details and information on this project update and anticipated timelines. I acknowledge that there may be concerns with the recommendation to move forward with Alternative 2, however I appreciate that our city traffic engineers took additional time to consider and incorporate my office's and the community's feedback. Alternative 2 retains the most amount of parking on both sides of Orange Ave., designates the bike lanes only with painted striping, removes the center turn lane, and will ultimately contribute to slower speeds and safer driving along the corridor. Additional specifics, including the final placements of bus stops, crosswalks, and potential traffic calming measures at 37th St., are still under consideration at this time. I will continue to advocate for the access and safety needs of all residents and businesses along this stretch of the project corridor. To allow for residents to hear directly from the Public Works team and provide public comment in an official forum as the project moves forward, I have called a meeting of the Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure (MPI) Committee to be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. I encourage you to attend, watch online, and/or submit your public comment and any questions. Online public comment can be submitted in advance of the meeting to the City Clerk via email at cityclerk@longb…
October 15, 2025 at 3:50 AM