La Mirada’s new City Budget includes an aggressive capital improvement plan totaling more than $20-million in infrastructure repairs, an amount which is significantly higher than prior years. The City is using its remaining capital project reserves to complete work while construction prices remain favorable. 
A number of neighborhood street improvement projects are slated for the new year, which began July 1. Funding for $4,495,966 in street repair work is budgeted for streets rated as being in the greatest need, according to an engineer’s report. The work will include street resurfacing, curb, gutter, and sidewalk repairs, and storm drain improvements to neighborhood streets located throughout La Mirada.
An additional $2,727,415 is budgeted for the final phase of the Foster Park Neighborhood Improvements project. This project would have been paid for with redevelopment bond proceeds, which have been frozen due to State actions.
Major sidewalk improvements are also planned for Santa Gertrudes Avenue from Lemon Drive to Rosecrans Avenue. Work includes removal of all existing sidewalk, replacement of damaged curb and gutter, new curb access ramps, street tree removal, and the installation of meandering sidewalk. New landscaping will include shrub plantings, street trees, and automatic irrigation.
Nearly $1-million in traffic signal improvements are planned for the intersections of Artesia Boulevard/Industry Circle, Telegraph Road/Imperial Highway, and Valley View Avenue/Adoree Street. Street improvement projects being completed in advance of the I-5 freeway widening will receive $2.5-million in Measure R Transit funds.
A recent engineering review of La Mirada’s infrastructure has identified more than $67 million in infrastructure needs for streets, sewers, storm drains, traffic signals, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bridges, and access ramps. Another $127 million is needed for other items impacting the community environment including undergrounding utilities, replacing block walls along major streets, and street light maintenance and improvements.
Funding for La Mirada’s remaining infrastructure needs identified in the engineer’s assessment is not currently available. Much of the infrastructure improvements completed in recent years has been funded by non-General Fund revenues, including Redevelopment Agency funds, State and County funds and one-time Federal Stimulus funds. These sources have been severely diminished or eliminated completely as State and Federal governments have reduced their support of local government. Additional locally controlled revenues are needed in La Mirada to complete these infrastructure projects.