One of the city’s most heavily traveled intersections for tourists will be remodeled in an effort to improve safety for the thousands of pedestrians who cross through it each day, City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell announced Tuesday.
The intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue will be redesigned to give it a “scramble crosswalk,” which allows pedestrians to cross from all corners in every direction, including diagonally, simultaneously, O’Farrell said.
Pedestrians at the intersection currently cross in the traditional fashion, waiting for a green light and “walk” signal in each direction, with no diagonal crossing. The crush of pedestrians at the intersection — which is in the heart of Hollywood and near attractions such as the Hollywood & Highland Center and the TCL Chinese, Dolby and El Capitan theaters — often overflows out of crosswalks and sometimes moves between cars trying to make turns.
Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the city Department of Transportation, said the new design “will prioritize the safety and comfort of people walking.”
“We plan to implement this change in consultation with the community and will evaluate the before-and-after effects,” she said.
The $50,000 project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to O’Farrell’s office.