Anthony Cafarchia’s family has operated the Eagle Rock Bakery and Deli since the 1960s in Eagle Rock, a Los Angeles neighborhood facing potential changes due to a proposed bus lane. Following personal and community hardships, Cafarchia now fears this new development could harm his business. The planned 19-mile bus route, designed to connect North Hollywood to Pasadena, will impact the area along Colorado Boulevard’s Historic Route 66 as part of Metro’s vision to boost public transit before the 2028 Olympics.
The upcoming route aims to transport numerous fans across L.A. County for the Games, serving as a larger project for Metro’s transit expansions. While transit advocates praise the route for offering a car-free travel option between the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, many Eagle Rock residents and local business owners express concerns. These worries include possible traffic congestion, impact on parking, and loss of the area’s small-town charm.
The project has faced opposition beyond Eagle Rock, notably in Burbank. There, Metro sought construction permits, but the city resisted, worried about traffic repercussions in residential zones. After a lawsuit, a judge upheld the city’s stance, questioning Metro’s assertion that project delays might affect Olympic plans. Despite resistance, transit advocates argue that these updates will enhance traffic flow during and beyond the Olympic period. Metro estimates that up to 30,000 passengers might use the entire route daily.
“By giving people a reliable way to travel across the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, Metro is investing in greater mobility and providing travelers with more choices for getting around the region,” Metro stated.
Metro emphasizes the benefits such as dedicated lanes enhancing speed and reliability, alongside improved bus stations, all-door boarding, frequent services, and connections to other Metro lines. Estimated at nearly half a billion dollars, the project is largely funded through Measure M, with construction already underway in Pasadena and soon to start in Eagle Rock.
In Eagle Rock, plans include converting a median into a bus lane by removing one car lane, restricting left-hand turns onto several streets from Colorado Boulevard, while providing dedicated lanes for others. Some parking in the area will be reduced, with just one public parking lot presently available. Cherryl Weaver, a local realtor and former resident, supports transit expansion but questions the plan when a previous idea proposing a shared bus and bike lane appeared less disruptive to traffic.
Long-time residents express growing frustrations. Nadine Levyfield, who resides on her childhood property, is concerned about diverted traffic into her neighborhood near her child’s school due to closures on adjacent streets. Levyfield and others have pressed Metro and local authorities to consider traffic mitigation measures like adding speed humps to newly active side streets.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado advocates for Eagle Rock’s needs while supporting the project. Her statement urged Metro and responsible departments to address community feedback.
“Eagle Rock deserves both better transit and a project that respects the community it serves,” Jurado stated.
Eagle Rock sits between Pasadena and Glendale, bordered by major freeways. Its central boulevard, Colorado, bustling with various businesses, motels, churches, and offices, reflects the neighborhood’s diverse character. Community members hold divergent views on the plan’s potential impact, with Michael Schneider from Streets for All seeing it as transformative for the business district.
Former neighborhood council president Michael Sweeney supports the project for enhancing local safety, irrespective of bus use, calling for safe streets as a common interest.
Local pub owner Tom Anderson feels the bus route could benefit Eagle Rock, despite minimal expected effects on his business. However, worries persist for businesses at the town’s core currently undergoing a revival. Mark Arnott of a martial arts studio on Colorado Boulevard wonders about traffic handling, particularly during freeway backups.
“I’ve got great reservations and deep doubts about the effect of the new plan to get rid of all parking and choke traffic down to one lane,” Arnott remarked.
Nearby playground owner Marcel Wittfeld, serving families with young children, finds the bus less appealing than cars for customers. Fears of losing parking further threaten his business survival.
“We’re really hanging on by a thread,” Wittfeld shared. “If this is really seriously happening, I think that could be the death blow for us.”