Three new pedestrian scrambles have recently been installed by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) in the densely populated Westlake neighborhood nearby DTLA. Councilmember Gil Cedillo, who also oversees the districts of Pico-Union, Cypress Park, and Highland Park, implemented the safety improvements as part of the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan.

The fresh diagonal crosswalks are located at three intersections along Alvarado at 7th Street, Wilshire Blvd., and 6th Street. The crossings’ colors and designs were chosen by community attendees to increase crosswalk visibility while cautioning drivers to slow down.

According to Streetsblog, the city’s safe streets initiative recognized the Alvarado corridor as one of Southern California’s most congested blocks, especially during peak traffic hours, when cars and pedestrians are at their most hectic. 

The intersection is situated nearby several pedestrian-popular sites including MacArthur Park, the Metro Rail’s Red and Purple Lines, and a street flooded with small businesses.

The transportation department’s plans also call for the installation of more pedestrian crosswalks at 6th Street between Rampart and Beaudry, and Wilshire Boulevard  between Rampart and Valencia.

The controversial Vision Zero Action Initiative is a city-wide effort to eliminate all traffic-related fatalities by implementing new safety improvements, including traffic signals, crosswalks, and even lane reconfiguration or striping.