Miles of Protected Bike Path Completed Along San Fernando Road in Sun Valley

San Fernando Road in the East San Fernando Valley gained an additional 4.75 miles of protected bike path, creating nearly 10 miles of continuous off-street biking stretching from Burbank to Sylmar.

After more than two years of construction from Branford Street to Cohasset Street, officials celebrated the completion of the project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Sun Valley on Monday, Sept. 16. 

“This project is particularly close to my heart,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla, whose elementary school playground is across the street from the bike path. 

“For those of us who grew up here, and remember what it used to look like, this is a symbol of generations of leaders really advocating to improve a space that we knew had potential,” she said.

Padilla described the area as previously being an “eyesore” full of trash and bushes. She recalled kids being afraid of the area, spreading rumors that there were “scary and sketchy things going on.” 

Now, it looks far different. The bike path includes improvements to rail crossings, a bike bridge over the Tujunga Wash, bikeway lighting, fencing, greenery with newly planted trees and improved transit stops along the route.

Situated between the Hollywood Burbank Airport, heavy industry and major transit, Padilla described the bike path as a much-needed step toward “environmental justice and sustainability” for Sun Valley.

“Our community endures more pollution, noise and traffic than most,” said Padilla, who was interrupted by airplanes flying overhead. “This project is not just about improving transportation options. It’s about connecting our community in ways that are sustainable and accessible for everyone.”

The path, which runs alongside the Metrolink train and traffic bustling through San Fernando Road, is separated by fences and guard rails. 

LA City Council President Paul Krekorian emphasized the importance of the protected bike path for the safety of this community. 

“You’re taking a lot of risk riding a bike through this area,” said Krekorian. “Many people who are riding their bikes here are not doing it just for fun. They’re doing it because they don’t have availability of a car and they need their bikes to get to transit stops, to get to work and so on.”

The path offers greater mobility for the community, with connections to several Metrolink stops, added Laura Rubio-Cornejo, general manager of the LA Department of Transportation (LADOT).

“Residents will be able to commute from their neighborhoods to job centers using sustainable modes of transportation that will reduce traffic and pollution, benefiting not only cyclists, but the entire community,” said Rubio-Cornejo. 

Construction of the path required coordinated efforts between Councilmembers Padilla and Krekorian, LADOT, Metrolink and the Bureaus of Engineering, StreetsLA, Street Lighting and Contract Administration in the LA Department of Public Works. 

The over $30 million in funding for this project was the result of coordination across all levels of government, said Rubio-Cornejo, including federal grants, state grants and local funding. 

She added that it took years of community engagement and input to transform the corridor, bring much-needed transportation improvements and develop a space that the residents can enjoy.

Norma Chávez, president of the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council, is one of those community members. She even helped lead a community cleanup the weekend before the ribbon cutting.

“It’s beautiful. It’s very welcoming,” said Chávez. “The community is very happy to have a safe place to walk, bike, chat with their kids as they’re exercising – and you can see that every evening when it’s just packed with families walking and enjoying this wonderful green space.”