FAQs
What is Marina Central Park?
Marina Central Park is a concept that re-imagines the space currently taken up by the Marina Freeway (CA-90). In place of the freeway could be 4,000 units of affordable housing, new retail space, a large new park on the Westside, bike trails, dedicated bus lanes for a future Bus Rapid Transit line between Lincoln Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd, while retaining some vehicle travel lanes for through traffic.
Why reimagine this freeway?
California State Route 90 was originally supposed to be a 41 mile freeway from Lincoln Bl (CA-1) via Slauson to East Anaheim (CA-91). Planned during the 1960’s, only 3.1 miles of the 50 miles were ever built, due to community opposition. Freeways are usually not only a few miles long; the current Marina Freeway is a stub of what was supposed to be a much larger project, and is far overbuilt compared to the need of the corridor.
Who is behind Marina Central Park?
The project was conceived by Streets For All and SWA.
What stage is the project at?
The project is currently building political support and applying for funding opportunities to do a feasibility study – the first step. The 22-month-long feasibility study will study specific impacts on things like traffic, pollution, noise, green space, etc. As part of the feasibility study, extensive community engagement will also take place.
Can I still drive along the corridor if Marina Central Park went in?
Yes. There will be car lanes maintained, although the number of lanes will be fewer than the current freeway. Additionally, motorists will have the option to use Jefferson, Culver, Washington, and Venice to reach the 405.
Won’t this project make traffic worse?
Not necessarily. This freeway sees fewer daily trips than any other in the LA region (see graphic below). In other parts of the world that have removed freeways and replaced them with things like parks, bus trails, and bus lines, traffic has not gotten worse. Usually, a certain percentage of people that currently drive switch to public transportation or get on a bike, a certain percentage find another route to drive, and a certain percentage still drive the same route. Additionally, with the contemplated affordable housing, people could afford to live near where they work, and drive less, which improves traffic and reserves vehicle lanes for those that must drive.
What will the housing look like?
We envision a “gentle density” approach of 4 stories of housing above 1 story of retail space (similar in height to Playa Vista). Our goal is to find a structure to make it 100% affordable housing.
What about cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets?
The project team will include traffic engineering consultants, who will closely assess how changes to SR-90 are likely to impact traffic conditions for people residing in and traveling through the area. The traffic impacts of reducing different numbers of automobile traffic lanes on SR-90 will be closely evaluated as part of the proposed feasibility study, as will the phasing of such changes. Serious studies of traffic impacts will be central to the feasibility study. These studies will be carried out in close communication with neighborhood residents. Possible interventions to discourage cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets include things like diverters, traffic circles, chicanes, curb extensions, and slow streets. The goal is to have vehicle traffic travel down the corridor on the remaining car lanes, or use Jefferson, Washington, or Venice, not cut through neighborhood streets.
I’m a homeowner or renter along the corridor, how might this impact me?
You would experience less noise and pollution, and get access to a large green space full of streets, playgrounds, shade, and retail stores. You would also have options other than just driving to move along the corridor.
I’m a business owner along the corridor, how might this impact me?
Research has shown that people like patronizing businesses that don’t feel like they’re on highways. For example, it’s much more pleasurable to eat outside in a green space versus a busy road. The project should drive much more foot traffic to local businesses compared to the current situation.
What about emergency vehicles?
Emergency vehicle access would be enhanced with the bus-only lanes, which emergency vehicles would be able to use, bypassing any traffic.
How can I see the traffic data?
A freeway lane can handle 2,000 cars per hour without getting backed up. Caltrans releases Average Annual Daily Traffic and Peak Hour Traffic yearly. You can view data for the 90 for 2021 and 2019 on this Google Sheet. In sum, the 90 gets between 29,500 and 79,500 car trips per day (total, for both directions). At rush hour, the traffic ranges from 2,500 to 6,700 cars per hour for both directions, an average of 4,350 cars per hour, or an average of 2,175 cars in each direction. Since a travel lane can handle 2,000 cars per hour without getting backed up, even at peak hours, one vehicle travel lane in each direction should be sufficient for the corridor.
How could people get to the beach?
The plan would maintain some car access along the 90 right of way; additional vehicle routes to the beach are available on Jefferson, Culver, Washington, and Venice Bl. The plan would also include a bus rapid transit line that would connect to Lincoln and bike trails that would connect to the Ballona Creek bike path, which connects to the Marvin Braude bike path.
Who supports studying Marina Central Park?
We have support for conducting a feasibility study from Caltrans, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Senator Ben Allen, Culver City, State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, SCAG, and the Del Rey Neighborhood Council.
Is this project going to create jobs? Will you have a local hire program?
This project will lead to jobs in construction, infrastructure, and many other categories. We plan to include a local hire program.
What’s the timeline?
The first step is a feasibility study to see if the concept is feasible, and to conduct extensive community outreach. The study would be carried out by a team of urban planners, architects, landscape architects, funding strategists, traffic engineers, multi-modal transit specialists, environmental engineers, community participation specialists, and cost estimators. Right now, our focus is on securing funding for such a study, and we have applied for a Federal Reconnecting Communities grant. We expect to be notified if we won the money in the Spring of 2024. Once the feasibility study is done (approximately 2 years from when it’s kicked off), and if there is widespread community support and a net positive benefit backed by data, funding would have to be identified to carry out the project.