Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huntington Park hears detailed update on Randolph Corridor and Southeast Gateway light-rail impacts
Summary
City staff told the council Sept. 23 that utility relocations for the Southeast Gateway rail line could begin in early 2026 and that the Randolph Corridor redesign may replace street parking with protected Class 4 bike lanes in places, prompting questions about business access and truck routing.
City staff gave Huntington Park council members a progress report on three linked transportation projects that will affect traffic, parking and businesses along Randolph Street and adjacent corridors.
The presentation — described by staff as an overview of the Southeast Gateway light‑rail project, the Commerce‑led Randolph Corridor active‑transportation project and the Rail‑to‑River segment B design work — said utility relocation for the Southeast Gateway Line is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, followed by multiyear phased construction. Staff warned that the work will require lane reductions, long‑term localized street closures and sequencing to maintain traffic flow.
On the Randolph Corridor, staff said the city is reviewing roughly 30% design plans and evaluating whether to move from the originally proposed Class 2 bike lanes (a painted lane that keeps parking) to protected Class 4 lanes that generally remove curbside parking. The speaker identified as Jerry told the council the choice carries tradeoffs: “When you remove parking to install a Class 4, you’re talking about a dedicated 8‑foot lane and potentially losing curb parking in constrained areas,” and that retaining parking is feasible only where the street cross‑section is wide enough.
Council members pushed staff on several practical questions: whether segments of Randolph could be converted to one‑way, how truck turning radii and CPUC rules at railroad crossings would affect the design, and what outreach the city and project leads will do for impacted businesses. Staff said they are coordinating with Metro and neighboring jurisdictions and will urge earlier outreach to avoid repeat problems from prior projects; staff also said they will inquire about business‑impact funds and look for ways to maintain business access during construction.
Why it matters: The projects intersect physically and in schedule, so design choices on Randolph will also affect how the Southeast Gateway and Rail‑to‑River work are staged. Councilmembers repeatedly urged the city to pursue more robust community and business outreach, to examine truck routing, and to weigh parking loss against the potential public‑health and safety benefits of protected bike lanes and ADA improvements.
Next steps: Staff said outreach will begin soon and more detailed design decisions will return to the council as plans and schedules firm up. The city will evaluate feasibility of Class 4 lanes on specific Randolph blocks and return with options that include mitigation for businesses and truck movements.
