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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of Final Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Publish a Notice Inviting Bids for Phase 3 of the Better Overland Project.
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Meeting Date: November 9, 2026
Contact/Dept.: Thomas Check/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5627
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [XX] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/04/2026)
Dept Approval: Nick Zornes, Acting Public Works Director (10/26/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the final plans and specifications and authorize the publication of a notice inviting bids for the construction of Phase 3 of the Better Overland Project.
BACKGROUND
The Better Overland Project (Project) is an active transportation corridor improvement project that begins at the intersection of Overland Avenue & Venice Boulevard and extends southward to Playa Street, Hannum Avenue, and Slauson Avenue. The Project connects to the Safer Fox Hills Project at the intersection of Hannum Avenue & Slauson Avenue and eventually terminates at the Culver City Transit Center at Westfield Culver City. Proposed improvements include:
• New concrete-protected bike lanes totaling more than 2.5 miles.
• A new signalized pedestrian crosswalk at the Julian Dixon Library.
• New traffic signals at Overland Avenue & Kelmore Avenue/Ranch Road and Overland Avenue & Sawtelle Boulevard.
• A new sidewalk on the south side of Slauson Avenue between Hannum Avenue and the State Route 90 on/off-ramp, closing a gap in the City’s sidewalk network.
• Sidewalk widening on Playa Street near El Rincon Elementary School.
• Repair of damaged sidewalks at various locations.
• Sidewalk-facing streetlighting along the length of the Project corridor.
• Installation of new or reconstruction of existing ADA ramps to meet current City standards.
Together, these investments will transform Overland Avenue into an Active Transportation Corridor consistent with the City’s General Plan, creating a connected corridor that encourages walking and biking as practical and enjoyable ways to travel through the City.
The City Council approved the conceptual plans for the Better Overland Project at its May 28, 2024, meeting. The plans were developed after extensive community outreach and engagement conducted earlier in 2024. Additional project outreach was conducted in Summer 2025, and staff continue to provide regular updates at Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and Mobility Subcommittee meetings.
DISCUSSION
Staff is implementing the Project in phases. Phase 3 includes the upgrade of the existing conventional bike lanes on Overland Avenue between Culver Boulevard and Ballona Creek bridge to protected bike lanes. Phase 1 is directly north of Phase 3, and Phase 2 is directly south. The final plans for Phase 3 are available on the City’s website at www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland <http://www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland>.
Roadway Configuration
At its January 26, 2026, meeting, the City Council approved the roadway configuration that will be implemented as part of Phase 3. Under the approved configuration, two vehicular travel lanes will be maintained in each direction with a center left-turn lane; on-street parking on the west side of Overland Avenue between Culver Boulevard and the Ballona Creek bridge will be removed; and protected bike lanes will be installed in both directions. Parking on the east side of the street will remain and will be reconfigured to create a parking-protected bike lane.
Accessibility Considerations with Parking-Protected Bike Lanes
Typically, when parking is permitted on a street, drivers park parallel to the curb and step up and over the curb to access the sidewalk. Passengers exiting from the curb side of the vehicle step directly onto the sidewalk.
Under a parking-protected bike lane configuration, the bike lane is located adjacent to the curb and vehicles park outside of (to the left of) the bike lane. The parking and bike lanes are separated by a buffer, typically three to five feet wide. Consistent with prior Council direction, a concrete barrier is included within the buffer to provide physical protection between bicyclists and motor vehicles.
To ensure the accessibility of parking-protected bike lanes, staff researched parking-protected bicycle facility design treatments utilized by agencies throughout the United States. Staff found that designated accessible parking spaces, typically identified by blue curb markings and signage, generally follow a common set of requirements, such as a blue striped access aisle and an ADA curb ramp. However, design treatments for non-accessible parking spaces vary considerably, and there is no single approach recommended or followed.
No accessible parking spaces currently exist on this portion of Overland Avenue. To ensure the needs of people with disabilities are accommodated, Phase 3 of the Project will construct three new accessible parking spaces on the corridor. Each new space will be denoted by appropriate signage and markings and located near an ADA-compliant curb ramp.
With respect to non-accessible parking spaces, staff gave a presentation to the City's Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) on April 8, 2026, to gather feedback on design treatments and options. Staff subsequently met with two DAC members in the field to review a parking-protected bike lane that was recently installed on Adams Boulevard. Based on this feedback, as well as input received through other community engagement efforts, staff refined the parking-protected bike lane design, as detailed below.
Originally, the concrete barrier installed in the buffer was proposed to be continuous, with breaks (openings) for maintenance and operational needs, such as drainage. Based on DAC feedback, the design now includes an opening adjacent to each on-street parking space. These openings are intended to allow passengers to step directly into the striped buffer without needing to step over the concrete barrier. The buffer itself also serves as a place where passengers can load and unload before crossing the bike lane.
Staff also evaluated the lateral placement of the concrete barrier within the striped buffer. The concrete barrier is 18 inches wide, while the striped buffer is a minimum of three feet wide. On Adams Boulevard, the barrier was installed on the right side of the buffer along the edge of the bike lane. During the site visit, DAC members expressed a preference for shifting the barrier to the left side of the buffer, adjacent to the edge of the parking lane. After observing parking behaviors on Adams Boulevard, staff recommends shifting the barrier to the left side of the buffer, as it provides a more intuitive experience for motorists parking their vehicles.
Staff recommends the City Council approve the final plans and specifications and authorize the publication of a notice inviting bids for Better Overland Phase 3, CIP No. PS029. If approved, construction is expected to commence in 2027 in coordination with Phase 1 of the Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution finding that the Project is categorically and statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Once construction bids are received, staff will return to the City Council (anticipated February 2027) with a complete fiscal analysis. The Project is anticipated to be funded by the City’s Mobility Improvement Fund, Los Angeles County Measure M, and the Culver City Public Finance Authority (PFA).
Funding Source Amount
437.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PF025 $331,149.00
437.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS029 $1,000,000.00
423.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS029 $224,796.00
485.RP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS032 $530,000.00
499.PF.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS044 $3,000,000.00
Total $5,085,945.00
ATTACHMENTS
The final plans are available on the City’s website at www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland <http://www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland>.
recommended action
MOTION
That the City Council:
Approve the final plans and specifications and authorize the publication of a notice inviting bids for Phase 3 of the Better Overland Project.
