Neighborhood Greenways Project

The Santa Monica Neighborhood Greenways project will collaborate with community members to test, design, and implement quick-build materials that will augment the Michigan Avenue neighborhood greenway, and establish a new greenway along Washington Avenue. Quick-build projects use durable, low-cost materials such as striping, bollards, rubberized curbs, and signage, to test and evaluate safety improvements that support walking, bicycling, and taking transit.

This project has 2 components:

Improve the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo)

Since the implementation of the neighborhood greenway in 2014, the City has received community feedback about congestion on Michigan Ave., particularly during the AM peak hour. The large amount of drivers traveling along Michigan Avenue compete with students walking and bicycling as they get to Santa Monica High School. City staff conducted a traffic study to assess volumes and speeds along Michigan Avenue, finding some segments with volumes in excess of 3,000 vehicles per day, primarily between Lincoln and 11th Street. The 2014 MANGo Concept Plan recommended limiting traffic volume to 2,000 ADT and traffic speeds to 20-miles-per-hour. To remedy this, staff propose one traffic diverter at 11th St., limiting the WB movements at 11th St, as well as the installation of chicanes from 10th St. to Lincoln, to further support the greenway.

 

Establish a Greenway along Washington Avenue

Although there are several traffic calming elements along Washington Avenue from 26th St. to 20th St. (one roundabout, staggered crosswalks, speed bumps, and pedestrian level lighting), the community has expressed interest and desire to walk and bike to key destinations along this corridor including Lincoln Middle School, Saint Monica Preparatory, and other local institutions. The proposed improvements along Washington Ave. look to extend some of the elements from the eastern segment of the corridor and introduce new ones like curb extensions and chicanes to further create a defined, calm street for those walking and biking. 

Once completed, the 2 greenways will connect via 11th St., 14th St, 17th St., and 20th St., adding to the network of calm, safe neighborhood streets. 

Funding

On Dec. 5th, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council approved the 2024 Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Project List, awarding grant funding to the City of Santa Monica for this Neighborhood Greenways Project. Of 21 quick-build applications evaluated, 11 quick-build projects were recommended for funding and five quick-build projects were recommended for a contingency list. Projects were recommended for funding based on application score, geographic equity, and funding eligibility. The Santa Monica Greenways Project will receive $875,552 in project funding.

 

 Ideas for Potential Greenway Treatments