Months-Long California Boulevard Renovation Project Starts on Monday

The City of Pasadena is embarking on a significant construction project along California Boulevard, aiming to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The project, scheduled to begin on July 15, will stretch from Pasadena Avenue to Orange Grove Boulevard.

City officials anticipate the work will be completed by the end of the year. 

The project, named the California Boulevard Access and Safety Enhancement Project, encompasses a range of improvements to the bustling thoroughfare.

Hardy and Harper, Inc. has been named as the general contractor for the project. The scope of work includes modifications to traffic signals at two key intersections: California Boulevard and Pasadena Avenue, and California Boulevard and Saint John Avenue.

These changes are designed to accommodate additional turning lanes and separate pedestrian traffic from motorists on the north leg of Pasadena Avenue and California Boulevard. 

The project also includes the installation of new ADA-compliant curb ramps at both intersections.

An additional marked crosswalk will be added at the intersection of California Boulevard and Pasadena Avenue. A curb extension will be constructed to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians, enhancing safety for those on foot.

The sidewalk along the north side of California Boulevard from Pasadena Avenue to St. John Avenue will be widened from four feet to nine feet. The existing five-foot-wide sidewalk along the south side of California Boulevard will be replaced.

Motorists can expect changes to traffic patterns. A through lane will be converted to a shared left turn/through lane for southbound St. John Avenue at its intersection with California Boulevard.

On westbound California Boulevard, a through lane will become a right turn lane at its intersection with Pasadena Avenue. The project also includes streetlight enhancements along California Boulevard from Pasadena Avenue to St. John Avenue.

The scope also includes resurfacing of asphalt pavement on California Boulevard between Pasadena Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard. Traffic impacts and intermittent ramp closures are expected during the construction period.

Roya Falahati, the project manager, indicated that the construction will be phased to minimize disruptions. 

According to the city’s plan, one travel lane will remain open in each direction and access to abutting properties will be maintained at all times.

The project is funded by the Measure R Mobility Improvement Program Grant from LA Metro. City officials assert that once completed, the project will mitigate vehicular traffic to reduce queuing and enhance pedestrian safety along the corridor.

Additionally, the improvements aim to promote the use of Fair Oaks Avenue and Arroyo Parkway for vehicular traffic, as alternatives to the residential corridors of Pasadena Avenue and Saint John Avenue.

Construction hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for day work, with night construction occurring from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The city plans to announce night construction on its social media accounts in advance.

Residents seeking more information about the project can visit Bit.ly/CaliforniaBlvdProject or call (626) 744-7311. The Public Works Engineering Division is available to address concerns at (626) 744-3711.