710 pedestrian bridge project in East L.A. gets $10 million federal grant

A project to reconnect a section of East Los Angeles that’s divided by the 710 freeway received a nearly $10 million federal grant.

The money to build a new pedestrian bridge over the 710 comes from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure deal. The announcement was made Friday at Humphreys Ave. Elementary School because, as LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho explained, the students will greatly benefit from it.

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“The current bridge is too narrow to safely accommodate pedestrians reaching this school, presenting an imminent danger every single day,” he said.

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said the project is about modal equity.

“19% of East L.A. is covered by freeways. Compare that just to 4% for the city of Los Angeles,” she said. “That means East L.A. pedestrians and cyclists must contend with crossing busy bridges on and off ramps when they walk or bike to school, church, the grocery store or local businesses.”

During his two-day visit, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg brought millions to L.A. to support transit infrastructure, including a project to connect the Port of Long Beach with inland rail yards.

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