Los Angeles County residents have until February 2 to weigh in on a proposed eight-mile bike and walking path along the Los Angeles River, a project now ballooning in cost to over $1 billion. Officials released a draft environmental impact report earlier this month, kicking off a 47-day public comment period.
River Path Project Faces Rising Costs, Design Challenges
The ambitious plan to create a 32-mile path connecting the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach is encountering hurdles as construction expenses surge.
- The eight-mile segment will serve communities including Elysian Valley, Lincoln Heights, and Boyle Heights.
- Initial cost estimates of $365 million have more than tripled due to rising construction costs.
- Public hearings are scheduled throughout January to gather community feedback.
- The project is funded by the 2016 Measure M sales tax and other sources.
What’s driving up the cost of the LA River Path? Increased construction expenses, coupled with design modifications informed by community input, are pushing the price tag well beyond initial projections. The project now anticipates spending around $595 million for a 3.2-mile northern segment, $688 million for a five-mile southern segment, and $1 billion to $1.2 billion for the full eight-mile stretch.
The path, intended to improve quality of life and offer alternative transportation options, will run between Elysian Valley and Maywood, traversing downtown Los Angeles and Vernon. “Projects like the LA River Path improve quality of life and provide mobility choices, foster connection and encourage more active lifestyles, all important goals as we look to build a transportation network worthy of a world-class city,” said Metro Board Chair and Whittier Councilman Fernando Dutra in a statement.
Originally slated for completion in 2027, in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the timeline has been pushed back as Metro finalizes the environmental review. Early plans envisioned the path primarily on the river’s west bank, but community feedback led to revisions incorporating segments on both banks, linked by new pedestrian and bicycle bridges.
Residents also influenced the path’s width, increasing it to 16-20 feet from an initial 12 feet to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians comfortably. The draft environmental impact report addresses concerns including flood risks, emergency access, ramp design, and lighting.
Significant permitting and construction challenges are anticipated, as the path will cross both public and private land. Metro expects to identify an agency to oversee construction, operation, and maintenance before final approval and design advancement. The final EIR is expected in late 2026 or 2027.
Metro will hold a series of public hearings on the draft EIR:
- January 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Lincoln Heights Senior Center, 2323 Workman St.
- January 27, 6-8 p.m., Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, 5800 King Ave.
- January 29, 6-8 p.m., virtual meeting via Zoom, bit.ly/larp_deir, or by phone at 833 584 0276, webinar ID: 833 2236 2142.
- January 31, 10 a.m.-noon, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School, 1200 Plaza Del Sol E.
Live Spanish interpretation will be available at all hearings. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available by calling 213-922-4710 at least 72 hours in advance.
