{"id":11729,"date":"2023-04-10T23:24:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T23:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/?page_id=11729"},"modified":"2025-11-02T18:37:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T18:37:33","slug":"coastal-access","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/coastal-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Coastal Access"},"content":{"rendered":"

Potrero Canyon — Coastal Access (Lateral Trail & Bridge) Updates<\/h4>\n
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Legend:
\n<\/span>RAP \u2014 RECREATION & PARKS DEPT.
\nBOE \u2014 BUREAU OF ENGINEERING
\nCD11 \u2014 OFFICE OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 11\/COUNCILWOMAN TRACI PARK
\nCCC — California Coastal Commission
\n<\/span>CDP — Coastal Development Permit
\n<\/span>Caltrans — California Dept. of Transportation<\/h6>\n

Return to Potrero Canyon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10\/23\/25:\u00a0 Representatives of BOE, Jacobs Engineering and Arellano Associates presented an update to PPCC on the status of the pedestrian bridge project, showing slides and answering questions from the Board and community members.\u00a0 We were reminded that Sen. Allen had previously obtained $11 million in State funding for the bridge project, which amount was deposited with BOE\/the Public Works Dept. and is restricted for use only for this project.\u00a0 BOE’s representative advised that current cost estimates to complete the bridge range between $13 – $18 million, depending on inflation; sources of funding for the additional expected cost are unknown at this time.\u00a0 See a recording of the presentation HERE<\/a>.\u00a0 PPCC has requested a copy of the Preliminary Environmental Analysis Report (or PEAR, referenced during the meeting), which we will post if\/when the report is made available (we have requested CD 11’s assistance in obtaining the PEAR).<\/p>\n

6\/26\/25:\u00a0 Geosyntec and BOE presented an update to PPCC on the status of the Pedestrian Trail (Lateral Trail), which included slides showing positions and ratings for proposed alternative trail routes.\u00a0 See a recording of the presentation HERE<\/a> as well as a synopsis in the PPCC Meeting Recap HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

6\/26\/25:\u00a0 Park reopened (entrance at Frontera Gate) in spring 2025; Friends St. entrance remains closed indefinitely.<\/p>\n

1\/7\/25:\u00a0 Park closed due to catastrophic Palisades Fire. According to BOE, the Park acted as a fire break for the Palisades Fire, due to regular debris and brush clearance in the Park.<\/p>\n

8\/27\/24:\u00a0 PPCC submitted a letter to CD 11, BOE and Geosyntec, urging them to swiftly undertake work on the trail so that the goal of coastal access can be achieved no later than the 2027 target date for trail completion (mentioned at the 8\/21 meeting).\u00a0 See 8\/27\/24 letter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

8\/23\/24:\u00a0 \u00a0An “Open Forum” meeting about the Pedestrian Trail took place on August 21, 2024, with presentations by Kristen Ly (BOE project manager) and Goodwin Wharton of Geosyntec, as well as audience Q&A.\u00a0 A recording of the meeting is linked in the Trail Meeting Bulletin<\/a>.\u00a0 A slide showing hypothetical alternative trail pathways can be seen here<\/a>.\u00a0 The presenters emphasized that trail development is in the early stages and and a feasibility study will be undertaken before trail design options are completed; another community meeting will be scheduled in the months ahead.<\/p>\n

The community is encouraged to share thoughts about the project by completing an online survey;<\/a> survey responses will be accepted until 5pm Friday, August 30, 2024<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8\/15\/24:\u00a0 See Palisadian Post articles in June and August 2024:\u00a0 6\/27\/24<\/a>\u00a0& 8\/15\/24<\/a> (re trail).<\/p>\n

8\/9\/24:\u00a0 \u00a0CD 11 advises that an “Open Forum” about the Pedestrian Trail (aka lateral trail) project will take place on August 21, 2024, from 6:30 – 7:30pm, in the Palisades Branch Library community room.\u00a0 The meeting willl be hosted by BOE and Geosyntec.\u00a0 The community is invited to share thoughts about the project.\u00a0 See the flyer about the meeting here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6\/13\/24:\u00a0 Presentation by Kristen Ly of BOE<\/a> to PPCC concerning the lateral trail status (now named the “Pacific Palisades Pedestrian Trail” by BOE).\u00a0 A pre-design consulting company, Geosyntec, has been hired, with a community outreach meeting expected to be scheduled in late summer or early fall 2024.<\/p>\n

5\/22\/24: \u00a0Park Progress Report<\/a> submitted to the CCC by BOE (required by the CDP).\u00a0 Cost estimate for the lateral trail:\u00a0 $1,258,000.<\/p>\n

4\/1\/24:\u00a0 See March 2024 Palisadian Post articles: 3\/7\/24,<\/a> 3\/14\/24<\/a>, 3\/28\/24<\/a> (re bridge discussions\/meetings). also see 5\/28\/24<\/a> article (re herbicide use).<\/p>\n

4\/1\/24:\u00a0 Lateral trail status:\u00a0 The trail is required by the current governing CDP<\/a> for the Park project and is supported by PPCC (see entry for 4\/10\/23, below). BOE has recently explained that it is working on a preliminary layout of the trail, which would lead to a consultant being hired to work on alternate routes, to obtain community input, to conduct any necessary reviews and produce a final design.\u00a0 BOE states that this work is necessary for Caltrans, which must eventually give permission for the City to locate the trail on Caltrans property along PCH.\u00a0 There is no timeline yet and BOE advises that there may be funding issues.\u00a0 We will follow-up.\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 In May 2024, BOE later made available to a PPCC member a Task Order Solicitation<\/a> (initiated on 3\/27\/24) for consulting work on the trail.<\/p>\n

3\/24\/24:\u00a0 A recording of the 3\/14 community outreach meeting has been posted on the BOE webpage for the bridge project:\u00a0 see 3\/14 Meeting Recording<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3\/18\/24:\u00a0 A well-attended community meeting regarding the bridge project took place on 3\/14\/24.\u00a0 Presentations were made by representatives of BOE, CD 11 and the bridge outreach contractors; the representatives also participated in Q&A with the audience.\u00a0 [See link to the meeting recording above.]<\/em>\u00a0 Community members are encouraged to continue to submit comments and questions about the project to: eng.potrerocanyonpedbridge@lacity.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For a recent statement by PPCC’s President on the project, see 3\/18\/24 PPCC Bulletin<\/a>\u00a0(scroll down to Potrero Canyon Bridge Project & PPCC).<\/p>\n

2\/26\/24:\u00a0 An\u00a0 outreach meeting about the pedestrian bridge project, hosted by BOE and CD 11, will take place on March 14, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30pm via Zoom.\u00a0 Register to attend here<\/a>.\u00a0 For more information contact CD 11<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1\/12\/24:\u00a0 CD 11 has advised that a “Notice to Proceed” was issued to the consultant, Jacobs Engineering, Inc., shortly after the community bridge meeting on December 5, 2023.\u00a0 The bridge consulting phase has now begun.\u00a0 The PCOC* will reach out to the consultant to learn more about what we can expect with the required community outreach.<\/p>\n

1\/4\/24:\u00a0 The community bridge meeting hosted by CD 11 took place on December 5, 2023 and was well-attended.\u00a0 A recording of the meeting exists but is not currently available to the public; contact CD 11<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

12\/14\/23:\u00a0 See 2023 Palisadian Post articles about coastal access (lateral trail and\/or bridge): \u00a01\/19\/23,<\/a>\u00a05\/25\/23<\/a>\u00a0 and 12\/14\/23<\/a> (re bridge meeting); see also links to earlier Post articles about Potrero Canyon (2004-2022) in the entry for 5\/20\/23 below.<\/p>\n

11\/22\/23:\u00a0 See the CD 11 flyer announcing the December 5th community bridge meeting here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

11\/19\/23:\u00a0 See entry for 11\/19\/23 under City and State Updates<\/a> regarding notice to the community of the community bridge meeting on December 5, 2023.<\/p>\n

11\/11\/23:\u00a0 See additional entries under City and State Updates<\/a> (10\/23\/23 and 11\/11\/23) for further updates regarding the status of the bridge project and community outreach.<\/p>\n

8\/11\/23:\u00a0 See the entries under City and State Updates<\/a> (7\/14 and 8\/11) for more information about the process of hiring a consultant for design and evaluation of the bridge project and the required community outreach to be conducted.<\/p>\n

6\/16\/23:\u00a0 CCC staff have advised that the\u00a02016 Draft Feasibility Study<\/a> was recently submitted to the CCC and satisfies the CDP requirement of providing an analysis of alternatives for pedestrian beach access across PCH to and from the park.<\/p>\n

6\/9\/23:\u00a0 CD11 has provided the following key information with respect to the Lateral trail and the bridge overpass access to Potrero Canyon Park:<\/p>\n

a)\u00a0 Federal and state funds (received, respectively, for the Lateral trail and pedestrian bridge) have been deposited into accounts for those purposes with the City’s Public Works Department.\u00a0 It is understood that such funds cannot be moved or used for any purposes other than the purposes specified by the respective agency providing the funding (i.e., for the trail and\/or the bridge), unless otherwise directed by the relevant agency.<\/p>\n

b)\u00a0 The City’s bid application process to hire a consultant for design and evaluation of the bridge project ended on May 31; it is expected that sometime this fall, the consultant will be chosen by BOE and begin work.\u00a0 That work will include comprehensive outreach to the community of Pacific Palisades.<\/p>\n

c)\u00a0 The outreach work may be subcontracted with an outside public relations firm or other entity with experience in community engagement. The subcontracted entity would then oversee and manage outreach to the Palisades community.\u00a0 The PCOC* has stressed the importance of outreach to the entire community, including PPCC, the Park Advisory Board and others.\u00a0 CD 11 assures us that it will work with the consultant, its outreach subtractor and PPCC, to ensure transparency and adequate community outreach.<\/p>\n

d)\u00a0 BOE has submitted a draft feasibility study (prepared in 2016) to the CCC, requesting that the CCC consider the draft to fulfill the feasibility study requirement of the CDP.\u00a0 The draft study can be read in the link below (5\/24\/23 entry; attachment to TOS Addendum #1).\u00a0 It is unknown at this writing if the CCC has determined that the draft 2016 study fulfills the CDP requirement.<\/p>\n

5\/28\/23:\u00a0 See PPCC Minutes re Bridge-Lateral Trail<\/a> from May 2004-October 2023.\u00a0 See also 2008 Final Report<\/a> of the past Potrero Canyon Community Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n

5\/24\/23:\u00a0 CD 11 advises that it is pressing BOE to submit the feasibility study for the pedestrian bridge to the CCC, per Special Condition 28, which is a requirement specified in the CDP<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

We have been informed that the City is in the process of hiring a consulting firm to manage an estimated one-year project related to design and evaluation of the bridge project, as described in the\u00a0Task Order Solicitation<\/a>\u00a0(TOS) and\u00a0TOS Addendum #1<\/a>. \u00a0This was explained to us at the last PPCC meeting (5\/11\/23) and reiterated again in documents found online by PCOC* members. Jeff Khau, CD 11 Planning Director, assures us that CD 11 will implore the consultant, when chosen, to attend a PPCC board meeting to present their proposal as part of the required outreach component of the “Project Initiation Document” the consultant will be tasked with producing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5\/20\/23:\u00a0 \u00a0See all Palisadian Post articles<\/a> written about Potrero canyon coastal access and the bridge project, from 2004-2022 (courtesy of the Palisadian Post<\/a>).<\/p>\n

5\/11\/23:\u00a0 \u00a0See City and State Updates<\/a> for further information about the status of the lateral trail and bridge over-crossing.<\/p>\n

4\/10\/23:\u00a0 Lateral trail status:\u00a0 This trail (to run from the mouth of the canyon along PCH to the Temescal Canyon Rd. intersection) is required by the governing CDP<\/a> issued by the CCC for the Park.\u00a0 PPCC supports construction of the trail. When completed, the trail will provide safe crossing at this intersection for coastal access to and from the Park.\u00a0 Last year, $1.15 million in federal funding was secured for the lateral trail.\u00a0 However, we are advised that more funds are now needed due to cost increases, and Caltrans\u2019 cooperation must also be obtained before trail design and construction can begin.\u00a0\u00a0See PPCC Funding Support Letter<\/a>. The PCOC* will continue to monitor.<\/span><\/p>\n

4\/10\/23:\u00a0 Bridge status:\u00a0 Although two years ago, $11 million in state funding was secured to build a pedestrian bridge over PCH from the mouth of the canyon, the amount needed is expected to increase due to inflation (exact costs currently unknown).\u00a0 Before a bridge can be built, the governing CDP<\/a> for the Park first requires a feasibility study of alternatives and costs for direct pedestrian beach access across PCH to and from the Park.\u00a0\u00a0BOE is working with Caltrans on the required study (to be submitted to the CCC when completed — date unknown).\u00a0 After that, at some future point an application for a new CDP or CDP amendment\u00a0<\/i>for the bridge would have to be submitted and then approved by the CCC.\u00a0 In the meantime, our City Councilwoman Traci Park and State Senator Ben Allen have advised that they will work with PPCC in the coming months to present the feasibility study (when completed) and to engage with the community about bridge plans.\u00a0 The PCOC* will continue to monitor.<\/p>\n

*Note:<\/strong> the prior PPCC Potrero Canyon Oversight Committee (PCOC) is no longer active as of July 2024; matters involving Potrero Canyon are regularly monitored by PPCC members.<\/em><\/p>\n

Return to Potrero Canyon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Potrero Canyon — Coastal Access (Lateral Trail & Bridge) Updates Legend: RAP \u2014 RECREATION & PARKS DEPT. BOE \u2014 BUREAU OF ENGINEERING CD11 \u2014 OFFICE OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 11\/COUNCILWOMAN TRACI PARK CCC — California Coastal Commission CDP — Coastal Development Permit Caltrans — California Dept. of Transportation Return to Potrero Canyon 10\/23\/25:\u00a0 Representatives of BOE, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11729","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11729\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}