$2.6 Million beautification project reaches completion
NORTH HOLLYWOOD — Highlighted against a clear blue sky on most San Fernando Valley days, metal mesh silhouettes of figures running, jumping, and playing ball can now be seen along the pedestrian bridge over State Route 170 (SR-170). The new decorative artwork is part of a recently completed $2.6 million Clean California project in the North Hollywood neighborhood that includes other improvements along SR-170 and U.S. Highway 101 (US-101).
The playful new artwork reflects how the pedestrian overcrossing connects the Valley Plaza Park on the east side of SR-170 with the Whitsett Sports Complex to the west. The SR-170 North Hollywood Beautification Project has also enhanced interchanges at Victory Boulevard, Sherman Way, Roscoe Boulevard, and Lankershim Boulevard (US 101) with California native, drought-tolerant plants and landscaping.
The project is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.2 billion clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, beautify public spaces and create thousands of jobs across the state.
“From native plants that will add to the natural beauty of the area and support the local ecosystem to artwork that incorporates whimsy into the functional structure of a pedestrian bridge, these improvements underscore Clean California’s aims to turn public spaces into points of pride for the community,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts.
Among the variety of newly planted native landscaping, is dwarf coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point'), an adaptable and hardy shrub that is ideal for slope stabilization, and scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia), a dense evergreen shrub which thrives in ecosystems with extended dry periods and has the ability to resprout after wildfires. While work on the project has completed, landscaping will be monitored over the next few months to ensure the plantings can thrive.
Other project improvements include:
· Rock blanket paving added to on- and off-ramps for a low-maintenance ground covering surface with a natural appearance
· Sustainable landscaping with 773 new California native trees, shrubs, and groundcover planted
· New irrigation systems
· Wood mulch to reduce soil erosion
· Decorative security fencing along Victory Boulevard and Sherman Way
The bridge artwork was designed by Caltrans District 7’s Design team and manufactured by CFabrication LLC. Caltrans District 7’s Construction team coordinated the project with work completed by the contractor Griffith Company.
Since July 2021, Caltrans and its local partners have picked up more than 2.9 million cubic yards of litter – enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with trash from the Mexican border to Oregon. Caltrans also hosted more than 650 free dump days in communities throughout the state – resulting in the collection of 15,500-plus mattresses and 57,000 tires. The initiative has enlisted more than 72,000 community clean-up volunteers and created thousands of jobs, including positions for individuals who were formerly incarcerated, on probation, or experiencing housing insecurity.
Visit CleanCA.com to learn more about how Clean California is transforming communities and how you can get involved. For more information on current Clean California projects in District 7, visit dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-7/district-7-programs/d7-clean-california.
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