The Industrial Northend

The Merced Avenue Greenway Project Phase 2 continues the transformation of Merced Avenue into a safer, more sustainable corridor. Phase 2 spans 0.5 miles from Rush Street to Fern Street in South El Monte. This project builds on the success of Phase 1 by enhancing mobility, stormwater management, and accessibility for all users.
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Key Features

• Making streets safer for everyone: 
  • A 4-to-3-lane reduction to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane.
  • Class II buffered bike lanes with 5-foot lanes and 2-foot buffers for people biking.
  • Making sure sidewalks and crosswalks are easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities.
• Keeping our water clean:
  • Creating green areas to filter and clean rainwater.
  • Using materials that let rainwater soak through which helps reduce flooding and keeps our groundwater and downstream water bodies healthy
  • Have less flooding by building underground systems to catch and manage rainwater..
• Staying cool in the summer:
  • Planting additional drought-tolerant trees that can handle hot weather.
  • Exploring reflective surfaces to keep streets cooler as a potential addition to the project.

​Community Benefits

• It is safer and more convenient for people to walk, bike, skate, or roll. 
• Cleaner stormwater will flow into Legg Lake and the Rio Hondo—vibrant community hubs where people come to enjoy nature, get active, and unwind.
• We're helping to keep our water clean and reduce flooding.
• It improves air quality and helps keep things cooler during extreme heat weather. 
• Creates a more inviting corridor for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Funding and Timeline

• The project design is funded through municipal return from the SCWP; Construction is funded by Federal and State Grants including from HUD, EPA, Metro and Caltrans.
• Design Completion: Expected by the end of Summer 2025.
• Construction Start: November 2025, with a target completion date of October 2026.

Contact Information
For more information, contact:
Rene Salas, City Manager
Email: [email protected]