COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN CELEBRATES NEW SIGNALIZED CROSSWALK IN LOS FELIZ

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2025

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Councilmember Nithya Raman, joined by Congresswoman Laura Friedman, leadership from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Bureau of Streets Services, and members of the community, celebrated the completion of a new signalized crosswalk at Franklin Avenue and Harvard Boulevard in Los Feliz. Bringing long-awaited safety improvements to the neighborhood, the new crossing fills a critical gap along a half-mile stretch of Franklin Avenue between Western and Normandie Avenues that previously had no marked crosswalk. The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)/HAWK signal now provides a controlled, ADA-accessible connection linking residents south of Franklin to Griffith Park via the Fern Dell entrance and residents north of Franklin to businesses on Hollywood Boulevard, while also improving safety and access for riders using the DASH stops at the intersection.

Council District 4 partnered with then-Assemblymember Laura Friedman to include the project in a $4 million State Earmark package secured in 2022. The Bureau of Street Services (BSS) and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) designed and delivered the crosswalk and signal on a prioritized timeline, ensuring this long-requested safety feature became a reality for the community.

“This half-mile stretch of Franklin is notorious for its lack of crosswalks, posing a serious hazard for kids walking to school, residents jogging, or anyone engaged in daily life in the neighborhood,” said Councilmember Nithya Raman. “Improvements like these are not only critical for making Los Angeles more accessible, they quite literally save lives. I am so grateful that we were able to install this new signalized crosswalk in record time with the help of our incredible partners, including Congresswoman Laura Friedman who, during her time as an Assemblymember, obtained state funding, City staff who prioritized the project, and residents and stakeholders who kept up the pressure.”

“For too long, this neighborhood lacked a safe way to connect to parks, transit, and local businesses,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “I’m proud to have helped make this new crosswalk a reality, and I’ll keep working in Congress to bring more federal investments like this back to communities across Los Angeles. Doing so not only improves quality of life, it also eases the burden on local taxpayers who shouldn’t have to shoulder these costs alone.” 

“Today, thanks to dedicated residents and the leadership of Councilmember Raman and Congresswoman Friedman, Franklin Avenue is a safer place to walk and Griffith Park is easier for all to access,” said LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo. “At LADOT, we are proud to take part in projects that make a difference in people’s lives and are grateful to work alongside partners who support the mission of safer streets.”

“StreetsLA is proud to have played a role in delivering this important project enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility,” said Shirley Lau, Executive Officer, Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA). “Projects like the Franklin and Harvard crosswalk reflect our commitment to building safer neighborhoods across Los Angeles. I want to thank our Bureau staff, Congresswoman Friedman, Councilmember Raman, LADOT and all our partners for their hard work and collaboration in making this improvement a reality.”

“Ensuring accessibility in public works projects is paramount to the success of our city and its people,” said Shamey Cramer, local resident and advocate for the project. Thanks to a group of concerned residents working in tandem with government officials, we now have a protected crosswalk that includes cutaway curbs, making it easier and safer for those with wheelchairs, baby buggies or other disabled individuals such as myself to access the DASH bus stops at this intersection with ease.”“This intersection is more than fresh paint and ramps—it’s proof of what happens when community voices meet responsive government leadership,” said Siobhan Burke, local resident and advocate for the project. “The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council listened to resident concerns about risking their lives in this half-mile gap, and Council District 4 delivered the game-changing safe street infrastructure.

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