Planning For Main Streets Frequently Asked Questions

The Planning for Main Streets project is a regional effort led by SCAG, in partnership with Caltrans and local jurisdictions, to reimagine state highway corridors that double as community main streets. The project focuses on four corridors—State Route (SR) 1 in Los Angeles County, SR 18 in San Bernardino County, SR 86 in Orange County, and SR 39 in Orange County—and partners with local communities for ideas how to transform these roads into people-centered places that balance transportation needs with community well-being.

Many state highway main streets in Southern California are wide, high-speed corridors with gaps in sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe crossings. These conditions create safety risks and access barriers, especially in disadvantaged communities. This project aims to: 

• Improve safety and accessibility for people walking, biking, rolling, riding transit, and driving.
• Address transportation inequities in historically underserved communities.
• Support healthier, more sustainable, and more connected neighborhoods.
• Prepare grant-ready designs to pursue funding for real improvements. 

SCAG, in partnership with Caltrans and local jurisdictions, selected four corridors for the study, representing diverse community contexts across the region: 

• State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) – Pennsylvania Avenue to Harbor Avenue/I-710 ramps (Lomita, Los Angeles, and Long Beach)
• State Route 18 (Waterman Avenue) – Arrowhead Road to 30th Street (San Bernardino)
• State Route 86 (Main Street/1st Street/Brawley Avenue) – Las Flores Drive to Legion Road (Brawley)
• State Route 39 (Beach Blvd) – Starr Street to Hazard Avenue (Stanton and Westminster) 

The study will result in: 

• Conceptual designs showing how streets could be reconfigured to improve safety, access, and placemaking.
• Fact sheets and visual renderings that make proposed improvements easy to understand.
• Grant-ready materials with cost estimates and funding strategies.
• A final report that summarizes the process, findings, and recommendations for each corridor. 

Community engagement is an essential component of this project. Activities will include: 

• Walk Audits – guided tours of each corridor where community members identify community assets, safety concerns, and opportunities.
• Surveys – gathered online and in-person to gather broad input.
• Workshops & Pop-up Events – interactive sessions, including the use of demonstrations and augmented reality tools, to test and visualize potential street improvements.
• Community and Technical Advisory Committees – groups of community members, local agencies, and technical experts guiding each stage of the study.

The study runs from summer 2025 to summer 2027, with major milestones including: 

• Fall 2025 – Existing conditions reports and kick off community engagement.
• Winter/Spring 2026 – Draft concepts, community workshops, and pop-up demonstrations.
• Summer/Fall 2026 – Refined concepts and continued community engagement.
• Winter/Spring 2027 – Final report, corridor fact sheets, and presentations to local governments and SCAG committees.

Many of the corridors run through priority equity communities, where residents have historically faced higher transportation burdens and safety risks. The project emphasizes: 

• Partnering with community-based organizations to reach underrepresented voices.
• Providing multilingual and accessible engagement opportunities.
• Designing streets that support people of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities.
• Ensuring that safety and equity guide project decisions.

You can participate in surveys, attend community workshops, or join walk audits and pop-up demonstrations in your area. Updates will be posted on the SCAG project webpage with event dates, materials, and opportunities to share feedback.