California Horse Town Secures Additional Funds for Long-Delayed Crossing

The Los Angeles City Council has approved more than $400,000 in additional funding for a long-delayed horse crossing on Sunland Boulevard in Shadow Hills, a community known for its equestrian population. The latest allocation brings the project's total funding to $892,500.

The approved funds are intended to complete a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacon signal, which will allow equestrians to safely cross Sunland Boulevard from the bridle path on the north side to the trail system on the south side. This aims to enhance connectivity within the Foothills horse-keeping communities.

The project, initially approved with $455,500 in 2021, has faced significant delays. The 2021 funding was sourced from the city’s Equestrian Facilities Trust Fund. Residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged timeline, citing safety concerns on the busy boulevard.

"We have to be very careful about crossing the roads, because the drivers are way too fast," said horse owner Lisa Salazar. "Some roads we don’t even go on, like Southern Boulevard. We don’t go near there anymore because it’s too dangerous for us."

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez stated that unexpected inflationary construction costs and additional public works requirements doubled the project's initial cost. She indicated that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation is working to include the project in an early 2027 bid package. The design for the crossing has been completed and is ready for installation pending the allocation of further funds.

Shadow Hills, where approximately 70% of residents own horses, has been identified as a priority area for equestrian facilities. The intersection on Sunland Boulevard at Johanna Avenue was first added to a city list of recommended horse crossings in 2012, underscoring the long-standing need for the safety improvement.

While some residents have welcomed the new funding, others remain concerned about the pace of progress. "The budget was allocated, the work was supposed to be done… at the rate we’re going, that’s going to be another 10, 15 years," Shadow Hills resident Musheegh Muradyan told ABC News. Another resident, Vickie Sampson, expressed optimism, calling the news "really great."