Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JULY 15, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: SR-710 NORTH MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING the list of eligible SR-710 North Mobility Improvement Projects (MIP) in Attachment A;
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer or their designee to:
1. ALLOCATE and program funds to three new MIPs in the City of Monterey Park as recommended in Attachment A;
2. REALLOCATE funds from one existing MIP to another existing MIP in the City of Los Angeles and from one existing MIP to one new MIP and one existing MIP in the City of South Pasadena as recommended in Attachment A;
3. APPROVE associated amendments to the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) as shown in Attachment B.
Issue
ISSUE
The SR-710 North MIP includes more than $1 billion in Measure R, State, and Federal funding approved by the Board. The purpose of this report is to introduce four new MIPs (Attachment A) and associated amendments for the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) (Attachment B) for Board approval.
Background
BACKGROUND
Upon completion of the SR-710 Gap Closure Project environmental process and adoption of the Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management (TSM/TDM) as the Preferred Alternative, the Board approved Motion 29.1 by Directors Fasana, Barger, Solis, Garcetti, and Najarian (Attachment C) at its May 2017 meeting, identifying the next steps and guiding the implementation of the local mobility improvement projects to bring relief to the SR-710 corridor cities in the San Gabriel Valley, the Central subregion (City of Los Angeles), and the Los Angeles County unincorporated area of East Los Angeles affected by the SR-710 freeway gap. At its February 2022 meeting, the Board approved Motion 35 by Directors Solis, Sandoval, Barger, Bonin, Garcetti, and Butts (Attachment D), which clarifies eligible uses for MIP funds. This action expanded the eligible categories of improvements to include bus infrastructure improvements, bikeway improvements, and pedestrian improvements.
A total of $1,026,510,000 in Measure R, State, and Federal funds are allocated to the San Gabriel Valley cities of Alhambra, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, and South Pasadena; and to the City and County of Los Angeles for eligible MIPs, starting in FY2020 and subject to the availability of funds. Project sponsors have initiated work on 45 MIPs. Staff has reported to the Board on the program bi-annually since December 2020.
Of the total State funds allocated, $70,836,000 has been programmed in the RTIP. The RTIP is formula funding administered by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) that Metro is responsible for developing and managing for Los Angeles County. At its December 2025 meeting, the Board approved the 2026 RTIP and the CTC subsequently approved the 2026 RTIP in March 2026. Amendments to the RTIP require Board and CTC approval.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Since the last SR-710 MIP update, the City of Los Angeles, City of Monterey Park, and City of South Pasadena have proposed to introduce new MIPs that are in accordance with Motion 35 or to reallocate funding for previously approved MIPs. Staff reviewed the project modifications (scope, descriptions, justifications, and preliminary cost estimates), project implementation, and anticipated benefits, which are summarized below.
City of Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles is proposing to reallocate funds from one existing MIP to another existing MIP:
• Reallocate $15,082,146 from the Soto Street Widening Project (LA8.1.1.07) to the Huntington Drive Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Project (LA8.4.2.06). The project would implement Class I, Class IV, and Class III bicycle facilities, along with new and widened sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, high visibility crossings, bulb-outs, lighting, shade trees, and bus stop improvements along 4.0 miles on Huntington Drive and Mission Road from Valley Boulevard to Kendall Avenue. This project will likely decrease Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
The funds for the Soto Street Widening Project (LA8.1.1.07) are currently programmed in the RTIP. Metro staff will request an RTIP amendment to reprogram the funds to the Huntington Drive Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Project (LA8.4.2.06) as shown in Attachment B. The CTC’s guidelines for the RTIP require that a project or project phase programmed in the RTIP have a full funding commitment from RTIP and other committed funds to be included in the RTIP. Per the City of Los Angeles’ Request Letter (Attachment F), the funds for the right-of-way phase that will remain on the Soto Street Widening Project are sufficient to complete the phase and the balance of design and construction funds for the Huntington Drive Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Project are anticipated to come from an Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 grant. In the event that either project fails to meet the full funding requirement due to cost increases or inability to secure the anticipated grant funds, the CTC requires that Metro delete the project from the RTIP.
City of Monterey Park
The City of Monterey Park is proposing to allocate $5,000,000 to the following three new MIPs:
• Allocate $2,000,000 in Measure R funds to the Floral Drive Pedestrian Mobility Improvements (Collegian Avenue to Mednik Avenue) project (MR2.5.6.02). The project would construct new sidewalks and accessible curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons or signal timing updates. This project will likely decrease VMT.
• Allocate $2,500,000 in Measure R funds to the Garvey Avenue Pedestrian Mobility Improvements (Atlantic Boulevard to Casuda Canyon Drive) project (MR2.5.6.03). The project would construct continuous sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, and marked crossings with a pedestrian refuge and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, and upgrade driveways, bus stops, lighting, signage, and wayfinding. This project will likely decrease VMT.
• Allocate $500,000 in Measure R funds to the New Avenue & Hellman Avenue Intersection Safety Improvements (Near Mark Keppel High School) project (MR2.3.6.01). The project would install dedicated protected left-turn signal phasing, upgrade the controller and cabinet with advanced vehicle detection systems, and update intersection striping, accessible curb ramps, leading pedestrian intervals, signage, wayfinding, and signal timing coordination. This project will likely increase VMT.
The funding for the three new MIPs will be drawn from the city’s unallocated MIP funds, reducing the unallocated balance from $6,598,000 to $1,598,000. To date, the city has programmed $98,702,000 to 10 projects.
City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena is proposing to reallocate $40,000,000 from one existing MIP to one new MIP and one existing MIP:
• Reallocate $10,000,000 in Measure R funds from SR-110/Fair Oaks Ave Interchange Modifications (MR7.1.1.37) to the North South Fair Oaks Intelligent Transportation Systems Deployment Project (MR7.3.6.04). The project would upgrade the traffic signal system along Fair Oaks Avenue to accommodate new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) elements, including traffic signal poles, mast arms, 12-inch signal heads, internally illuminated street name signs, video detection systems, fiber optic cable, signal controllers and cabinets, and emergency vehicle preemption, as well as new accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, and landscape medians. This project will likely increase VMT.
• Reallocate $30,000,000 in Measure R funds from MR7.1.1.37 to the Regional Traffic Corridor Improvements project (MR7.1.1.36). The project would include Class IV protected bicycle facilities, transit stop enhancements, sidewalk upgrades, accessible curb ramps, wayfinding signage, traffic timing upgrades and synchronization, ITS improvements, and landscape beautification along 1.5 miles on Huntington Drive between Alhambra Road and Garfield Avenue and 1.8 miles on Fremont Avenue from Alhambra Road to Columbia Street. This project will likely decrease VMT.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of staff’s recommendations has no known adverse impact on the safety of Metro’s patrons and employees or users of the facility. The projects recommended for MIP funding will improve safety and mobility. Caltrans and local safety standards will be adhered to during the project development and implementation of the proposed projects.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The updated MIP list reflecting the projects for Board approval is reported in Attachment A. The MIP programmed funds will include fund sources and programmed years that are based on availability, Metro’s overall funding strategy and programming capacity, project sponsor cashflow needs, input and requests made by MIP sponsors in response to Motion 35, local project priorities and concerns, and other factors; and the new SCAG competitive federal funding process, when applicable.
Should the Board approve the eligible projects set forth in Attachment A, the total number of projects eligible for MIP funds remains at 89, without exceeding the overall MIP program budget or individual MIP sponsor allocations.
Impact to Budget
The amount of $8,950,000 is included in the FY27 proposed budget under Complete Streets & Highways Cost Centers 4730 and 0442, under SR-710 North Corridor Mobility Improvements (461315), Professional Services (502316), and Subsidies (54001) accounts.
Since this is a multi-year program of mobility improvements, the Chief Planning Officer will continue to be responsible for budgeting any remaining costs in future fiscal years.
The source of funds for the projects will be Measure R Highway Capital (20%) Funds. This fund source is not eligible for bus and rail operations or capital expenditures.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This subsidy program affords local agencies the opportunity to develop and implement transportation projects that improve mobility, address local concerns, and provide better and safer access to key destinations (jobs, employment centers, markets, commercial centers, healthcare facilities, etc.) that may lead to more equitable outcomes.
All the MIPs are administered by local agencies, except for the City of San Gabriel, which elected to utilize Metro’s Complete Streets & Highways On-Call Services Contract to expedite the project development process. Since FY20, various community outreach efforts have been conducted by MIP sponsors to inform the project development process, with many projects addressing transportation needs in or near Equity Focus Communities (EFC). Each MIP sponsor is responsible for engaging the public, key stakeholders, and community-based organizations, as necessary, depending on the proposed improvements and potential impacts.
City of Los Angeles
Community engagement for the Huntington Drive Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Project has been intentionally equity-centered from the outset, building on earlier outreach and engagement conducted from 2023 to 2024 through surveys, public meetings, bilingual materials, targeted corridor outreach, and a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that included school, neighborhood, cultural, disability-services, business, and community-based representatives from Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, and Rose Hills. That process helped ensure the project reflects the priorities of disadvantaged communities most affected by unsafe speeds, incomplete sidewalks, limited shade, and inadequate transit access, particularly households with limited vehicle access, students, seniors, and people with disabilities. Over half of the project limits are directly within or adjacent to EFCs.
In May 2026, the City held a CAC meeting to provide an update on the project design. Going forward, the City and its partners will continue this equity-focused approach through ongoing CAC coordination, a Public Involvement Plan, and culturally appropriate, accessible engagement at key design and implementation milestones, with particular attention to disadvantaged schools, corridor residents, and other historically underrepresented stakeholders so that community input continues to shape project delivery, public-space programming, streetscape elements, maintenance, and wayfinding.
City of Monterey Park
The City of Monterey Park has implemented a comprehensive, multilingual community engagement program to guide development of the three proposed MIPs, with focused outreach along Floral Drive, Garvey Avenue, and the Hellman Avenue and New Avenue corridor near Mark Keppel High School. Outreach included citywide surveys, walk audits, door‑to‑door canvassing, four multilingual community meetings, two virtual meetings, booths at community events, two citywide public surveys, and direct engagement with schools, businesses, and community institutions. Across all engagement channels, community members consistently emphasized the need for safer pedestrian mobility, improved school access, and enhanced multimodal connectivity, which directly shaped the development of the three new MIPs that are all located within or adjacent to EFCs.
For Floral Drive, the City met with the Brightwood Elementary School principal and safety team, held a community meeting on campus, conducted a corridor walk with East Los Angeles College staff, and performed multiple walk‑along assessments with residents to identify potential unsafe conditions. The City also conducted walk‑to‑school observations during drop‑off and pick‑up along Floral Drive and discussed potential safety concerns directly with parents.
During Garvey Avenue outreach, residents and businesses consistently raised concerns about potential unsafe pedestrian conditions west of Atlantic Boulevard, emphasizing the need for safer crossings and improved multimodal access.
For the Hellman Avenue and New Avenue area, the City met with the Mark Keppel High School principal and safety team, performed walk‑to‑school observations, and gathered parent feedback on potential safety challenges near the campus. A dedicated Safe Routes to School community meeting was held at Mark Keppel High School in April 2026 to address campus‑area needs, including the Hellman Avenue and New Avenue intersection, and a Citywide Safety Workshop will be hosted in May 2026 at the Langley Center to gather additional feedback on the proposed improvements.
City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena presented the North South Fair Oaks Intelligent Transportation Systems Deployment Project to the community at a workshop in May 2023. The workshop was well attended with over 50 community members present; seven comment cards were received. During the workshop, the community expressed support for improving accessibility and providing enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Landscaping features and preservation of bulb-outs were also requested. In addition to the May 2023 workshop, the project was discussed at the City’s Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure Commission in November 2022 and the Public Works Infrastructure Commission in August 2025. Members of the community were present at both of these Commission meetings and expressed support for enhanced pedestrian accessibility. In October 2025, City Council received a summary of the input received on the project and made a design selection.
For the Regional Traffic Corridor Improvements project, a comprehensive community outreach and coordination effort has been conducted to ensure the project reflects input from a wide range of community members and stakeholders. In Summer 2023, the City began the process of collecting community feedback and preparing a report outlining design concepts. In October 2023, the City’s Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure Commission held a public meeting presenting the preliminary findings and collecting initial public feedback. After the City Council approved a contract to complete the design of the project in October 2025, the City held multiple community meetings in February and March 2026 and presented to both the Public Works Infrastructure Commission in April 2026 and City Council in April, May, and June 2026 to share design concepts and listen to community feedback. In parallel, coordination with internal city departments, neighboring jurisdictions, and regional agencies has helped address operations, emergency response, and regional connectivity considerations. This iterative and feedback-driven process helped fine-tune the design concepts to holistically shape and balance the technical analysis with community priorities and interagency coordination. All meetings provided notice to the public and were well attended by residents, providing valuable feedback that is being integrated into the design.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While the agency remains committed to reducing VMT through transit and multimodal investments, some projects may induce or increase personal vehicle travel. Although some individual projects may not directly contribute to the achievement of the Board-adopted VMT Reduction Targets, the VMT Targets were developed to account for the cumulative effect of a suite of programs and projects within the Metro region. Further, the individual projects aim to ensure the efficient and safe movement of people and goods.
This Board item will likely increase VMT in LA County, as it includes investments that encourage driving alone or increased vehicle travel by funding mobility projects along the SR-710 North Corridor. The details of how specific projects may impact Metro’s VMT reduction targets are shared in the “Discussion” section of this report. The MIPs in the City of Los Angeles, City of Monterey Park, and City of South Pasadena will improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Although this item may not directly contribute to achieving the Board-adopted VMT Reduction Targets, the VMT Targets were developed to account for the cumulative effect of a suite of programs and projects within the Metro region, which individually may induce or increase VMT. Additionally, Metro has a voter-approved mandate to deliver multimodal projects that enhance mobility while ensuring the efficient and safe movement of people and goods.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports Metro’s Strategic Plan Goals to:
1. Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.
2. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
3. Transform LA County through regional collaboration.
The recommendation also supports Metro’s Objectives for Multimodal Highway Investment to:
1. Advance the mobility needs of people and goods within LA County by developing projects and programs that support traffic mobility and enhanced safety, economic vitality, equitable impacts, access to opportunity, regional sustainability, and resiliency for affected local communities and the region.
2. Work with local communities to reduce disparities caused by existing highway systems and develop holistic, positive approaches to maintain and improve the integrity and quality of life.
3. Ensure local and regional investment in LA County’s highway system is considered within the context of a countywide multimodal, integrated planning vision that reflects a holistic approach to meeting the needs of local communities, reducing disparities, creating a safer and well-maintained transportation system, and fostering greater regional mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to accept staff’s recommendations. This alternative is not recommended as it would be inconsistent with the Board’s directive for staff to work directly with the MIP sponsors in identifying eligible projects per Motion 29.1 and could delay bringing needed multimodal transportation improvements to affected local jurisdictions.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, the MIP sponsors will be notified of the Board’s decision. Staff will work with the MIP sponsors to refine the project scopes of work, schedules, justifications, benefits, and cost estimates to ensure compliance with the intent and direction of the Board and to execute funding agreements for the newly approved MIPs. The cities may use Metro’s Multimodal Integrated Planning Project/Program Delivery On-Call Support Services contract to issue contracts/task orders, if requested, to assist in expediting the completion of the environmental and design phases for each MIP.
Staff will submit the RTIP amendment request to the CTC for notice at its October 2026 meeting and action at its December 2026 meeting.
In addition, staff will continue to assist in the delivery of all MIPs and provide bi-annual reports to the Board.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Updated MIP List
Attachment B - RTIP Amendments
Attachment C - Motion 29.1
Attachment D - Motion 35
Attachment E - MIP Programmed Funds
Attachment F - City of Los Angeles Request Letter
Attachment G - City of Monterey Park Request Letter
Attachment H - City of South Pasadena Request Letters
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Cameron Palm, Manager, Complete Streets & Highways, (213) 547-4276
Lucy Delgadillo, Senior Director, Complete Streets & Highways, (213) 922-7099
Michelle E. Smith, Executive Officer, Complete Streets & Highways, (213) 547-4368
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Multimodal Integrated Planning, (213) 547-2317
Nicole Ferrara, Deputy Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4322
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4247
