A state grant could be the key to completing a 2.2-mile trail along the east bank of the Los Angeles River.

Last week, 13th District Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell introduced a motion which, if adopted by the City Council, would allow the City of Los Angeles to apply for a grant from the California Natural Resources Agency of up to $4 million to fund an undercrossing of Colorado Street Bridge in Atwater Village.  

The money, if awarded to the City, would go toward the design and construction of a 500-foot undercrossing of the bridge, connecting two existing pathways which are divided by Colorado Street.  The project would complete the continuous 2.2-mile North Atwater East Bank Riverway Path, and also enable a connection to the Los Angeles River bike path on the west bank via a new bridge now under construction in Atwater Village.

The deadline to submit a grant application is October 11, 2019, with selection of projects for the next level of the competitive process to follow before the end of December 2019.  Projects must be completed by March 2024.

O'Farrell's motion will be considered at a future meeting of the City Council.