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Frequently Asked QuestionsThe LA River Path project is a proposed eight-mile, multi-use bicycle and pedestrian path extension from Elysian Valley, through downtown Los Angeles and the City of Vernon.The project will close an existing eight-mile gap in the Los Angeles River Bike Path and Greenway Trail, providing the region with a seamless 32-mile bicycle and pedestrian route from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. The new section of the path will directly serve communities in Elysian Valley, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown, downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District, the Industrial District, Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and the Cities of Vernon and Maywood. 1. Will the LA River Path project provide opportunities for public art? Art can deepen the connection with a space, cultivate pride in the community, and improve the user experience along the LA River Path. The details of public art along the corridor will be determined later in the project design, in conjunction with the community and local artists. 2. Will the path connect to the Arroyo Seco Bike Path? There will not be a direct connection, but that does not preclude future connections to the Arroyo Seco Bike Path. 3. How has the project scope changed since Measure M? The 2016 Feasibility Study, based on less than 5% design, serves as the foundation for Measure M funding. Since then, advancements have been made in the project design, based on community/stakeholder input and advanced technical studies. These advancements include greater proportions of elevated structures to navigate design constraints, a wider path to meet projected travel demand and allow emergency access, access points on both sides of the river, and the addition of bike and pedestrian bridges. 4. Why is most of the project being proposed to be built on elevated structures or incised into the river channel wall? This corridor is highly constrained, with limited available right-of-way along the riverbanks. The project must navigate around active rail lines, utility towers, and 30 bridges, including rail, vehicle, and freeway structures. Ten of these bridges are registered as historic, and three more may qualify as historic. 5. Why was the bottom-of-channel path type not included in the alternatives? The bottom-of-channel path type was considered and rejected because it does not meet the project objectives for Safety, Access, and Sustainable and Efficient Mobility. Areas of concern from the community and key stakeholders include: path user safety from flood events, length and frequency of path closures due to flood events, limitations on emergency vehicle access, length and slope of ramps to reach access points, infeasibility of implementing lighting and other amenities, and extensive time and permit requirements for construction and maintenance. 6. What is the anticipated project cost? Currently, the anticipated cost of the five alternatives that close the full 8-mile gap ranges from about $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, while the shortened alternatives range from $595 million to $690 million (in 2025$). 7. How will the project be funded? 8. What will Metro do to cover the funding gap between Measure M's allocation and the anticipated project cost? Metro will seek additional funding opportunities. Additionally, Metro is exploring potential cost mitigation strategies, including phasing the project delivery, value engineering, and seeking economies of scale and streamlined delivery strategies with partnering agencies. 9. Why did the project cost estimates increase since Measure M? The current cost estimates reflect advancements in the project design since Measure M, based on stakeholder/ community input and advanced technical studies. In addition, increases in labor and material costs, cost escalation, and contingency, also contribute to the rise of the Project’s cost estimates. 10. Why will Metro not own, operate, or maintain the project after it is completed? Metro owns less than one percent of the total right-of-way required for this project. 11. Who operates and maintains the existing paths along the LA River? The City of Los Angeles operates and maintains the path north of the project area toward the San Fernando Valley. The County of Los Angeles operates and maintains the path south of the project area toward Long Beach. 12. Who would be the Operations & Maintenance entity? Metro is actively seeking agency partners to own, operate and maintain the project, when completed. 13. What is the environmental review process? Prior to construction and completion, a project undergoes studies to understand the benefits and the potential impacts it may have on the community. The environmental review process is a multi-step process that includes scoping, preparation of a study, review of the draft environmental document, selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative and adopting a final environmental document. To learn more, visit metro.net/about/environmental-review. 14. What types of environmental impacts are being evaluated? The types of environmental impacts being evaluated include several environmental resources, which includes noise, visual, transportation, hydrology, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, and many other community impacts during and after the construction of the LA River Path. The Draft EIR will include a description of the project and the project’s potential impacts on the environment. It will also inform decision-makers and the public on recommended mitigation measures. 15. What is a Locally Preferred Alternative, and who will select it? A Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is the alternative chosen by a local agency as best meeting community goals and project objectives, based on public input and analysis. In the case of the LA River Path, it could be one of the alternatives presented in the Draft EIR, or a combination thereof. The Metro Board of Directors will review the staff recommendation and adopt an LPA. 16. Are there other Metro projects nearby? Other nearby projects that Metro is working on include the Arts District/6th Street Station, Link Union Station, Southeast Gateway Line (previously West Santa Ana Branch Corridor), Rail to River and the I-710 Corridor Bike Path Project. 17. How can local communities and the general public participate in this process? Metro is leading a stakeholder engagement program to ensure that surrounding communities are kept informed of the status of the LA River Path Project. This includes holding public meetings and workshops, presentations with local stakeholder organizations and participation at local community events throughout the study area. Metro recognizes the need for inclusion and the variety of stakeholders along the LA River. We are committed to equity, transparency, engaging the public and providing the platform for stakeholders to learn about the LA River Path Project and provide input throughout the process. Metro hosted Community Update Meetings in Fall 2021, Fall 2022, and Fall 2025. We invite you to keep up to date on the project by visiting us online at https://www.metro.net/projects/lariverpath/. Materials and video from our past community meetings can be found here as well. Upon release of the Draft EIR, Metro will host another set of community meetings to provide an update and also solicit community feedback. 18. How can I stay involved? Metro welcomes your input on the LA River Path Project. Please share your thoughts and comments with us. Metro does not share your contact information with third parties. Project Information Line: 213.922.7001 Email: lariverpath@metro.net |