Bicyclists, walkers and joggers who regularly travel along Burnett Street will soon have a bit more space for their respective activities, thanks to the recently-approved pedestrian and bike enhancement project.
Though Burnett is already a shared space between cars, bicycles and people, there is no cohesive landscape that connects all modes of transportation. This project aims to create a multi-modal friendly area along the Burnett corridor, stretching from Walnut Avenue to Dawson Avenue.
Aligning with Signal Hill’s Strategic Plan, the City will install new bicycle lanes and walking trails that connect Burnett Street to communal destinations like Heritage Point Park, Hilltop Park, the Panorama Trail system, Signal Hill Elementary School and multiple transit stops.
The East Burnett Street Pedestrian and Bike Enhancement Project will soon enter its designing phase, as the city council signed into contract with Zimmerman Engineering at its Sept. 23 meeting. The project will be funded with $2.79 million from an Active Transportation grant from the California Transportation Commission, with another $109,000 from the City.
Improvements residents can expect to see:
- Construction of roughly 1,560 feet of sidewalks along East Burnett Street between Gaviota Avenue and Cherry Avenue, including retaining walls and parkway landscaping
- Installation of 14 Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps
- Installation of 15 sidewalk lights
- Striping of roughly 2,830 linear feet of new class 2 bike lanes along East Burnett Street and Skyline Drive from Walnut to Dawson Avenues
- Full-depth reconstruction of the roadway between Walnut Avenue and Cherry Avenue and cold-planing with resurfacing along Skyline Drive
- Installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, three painted crosswalks, and traffic calming measures, including striping and pavement markings
- Correction of existing sidewalk gaps
The City began accepting proposals for this project in July, and received six proposals. Zimmerman Engineering was the most expensive option, with the contract totaling $269,000.
The firm’s previous work for the City with the Spring Street ATP Bicycle Gap Closure Project, as well as its “competence and relevant experience,” contributed to them receiving the contract, according to City documents.
Zimmerman Engineering will begin designing all elements for the East Burnett Street Pedestrian and Bike Enhancement Project this month, and designs are expected to be complete in April 2026. There is no timeline for construction or completion for this project.
