EL MONTE >> The city is looking to spend $1.4 million dollars in the next two years to make the city easier to traverse by bicycle.
One major improvement will be to create a direct bicycle connection between the Rio Hondo bicycle path and Metro’s El Monte Station, the largest bus transit center in the region. The 200-foot bicycle and pedestrian bridge would span the Rio Hondo Channel, according to a city staff report.
Bike lanes would also be created on Tyler Avenue between Garvey Avenue and Klingerman Street and on Merced Avenue between Garvey and Towneway Drive, according to the report from Elaine Jeng, city public works and utilities director. Four additional bike lanes would be added on smaller streets in the city.
A majority of the money for the improvements will come from Metro, $986,803, with the city contributing $428,892, according to the report. The city first applied to receive the Metro funding in 2013.
City Councilwoman Victoria Martinez, who has long championed traffic safety initiatives in the city, said she was glad that Metro has invested in El Monte by building its bus transit center there in 2012 and that it continues to invest by funding projects like the bike improvement plan.
“This isn’t just a big deal for the city of El Monte but also our region by connecting active transportation options with other modes of transit to get people where they need to go,” Martinez said.
In February, the City Council adopted its “Vision Zero” plan, which aims to eliminate all traffic deaths — everything involving cars, bicycles and pedestrians — by 2027.
Martinez, a staunch advocate for the plan, said the proposed bicycle infrastructure improvements would help contribute to Vision Zero by making it safer for cyclists on several city streets.
“We have an opportunity to create safe bike lanes, great crosswalks and sidewalks that promote walkability,” Martinez said. “Improving safety is key to helping folks feel like they can safely participate in transportation,” Martinez said.
The City Council is set to vote Tuesday whether or not to allow City Manager Jesus Gomez to move forward with the funding agreement with Metro. If the City Council says yes, work on the project would begin in the 2018-19 fiscal year, according to the city staff report.
