Los Angeles Breaks Ground on Spring-Alameda Mobility Project in Downtown and Chinatown

Construction is underway on the Spring-Alameda Safety and Mobility Project in Los Angeles, with the city formally marking the work at a September 12, 2026, groundbreaking. The project will change how drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders move through a 1.2-mile corridor connecting downtown Los Angeles and Chinatown.

Independent local reporting published September 10 said physical work had already been underway for more than a month. The mayor‘s office announced the groundbreaking on September 12, so the ceremony marked the city’s formal public launch rather than the first day of construction.

Project covers Spring Street and Alameda Street

The project runs along Spring Street and Alameda Street between Wilhardt Street and Los Angeles Street. The corridor provides access to Chinatown, Union Station, Los Angeles State Historic Park, the Chinatown Metro station, nearby bus stops and the Los Angeles River path.

According to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, construction began at Alameda Street and Alpine Street. Work is generally scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will not be performed on Sundays.

Planned safety and access changes

The finished project is planned to remove one vehicle lane in each direction and add protected bike lanes. It also includes signalized pedestrian crossings at Spring Street and Ann Street and at Spring Street and Mesnager Street.

Other planned improvements include protected left-turn lanes, ADA-compliant curb ramps, a bus boarding island and resurfacing along portions of the corridor. The project is intended to calm traffic, improve access and make walking, bicycling and transit connections safer between several major destinations.

The lane changes are part of the planned design. They should not be interpreted as meaning that the full corridor has already been reconfigured.

Construction will affect daily travel

People driving through the corridor should expect active work areas, changing lane conditions and possible delays as construction advances. Pedestrians and bicyclists may encounter temporary detours or restricted access around work zones, while transit riders should allow additional time near stops and boarding areas.

Residents, workers and visitors heading to Union Station, Chinatown, Los Angeles State Historic Park, the Chinatown Metro station or the Los Angeles River path should watch for changing access conditions as crews move through different sections of the project.

Cost and completion schedule

Streetsblog Los Angeles reported the project cost at $7.5 million and said it is supported by grants from Metro and the Southern California Association of Governments. The city’s September 12 announcement connected the work to Mayor Karen Bass’ Capital Infrastructure Program.

LADOT‘s August 13 update says construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027. Streetsblog reported an earlier target of early summer 2027. Because those estimates differ, the fall 2027 schedule is the current published agency timeline unless LADOT issues a revision.

For now, the immediate change for travelers is active construction along Spring Street and Alameda Street. The protected bike lanes, crossings, curb ramps, turn lanes, bus boarding island and planned lane reallocation will be delivered as work progresses toward completion.

Sources

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