Progress on Pearblossom Highway is a Promising Step Toward Safer Roads
On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Pearblossom Highway 138 Safe Roads Initiative Team took a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve safety along Pearblossom Highway (PB HWY 138).
Members of our community, along with Assembly member Juan Carrillo and several key decision makers from agencies including CalTrans and LA County Department of Public Works (DPW), came together for a comprehensive, on-the-ground field tour.
The Pearblossom Safe Roads Initiative was born out of a need to identify safety issues with Highway 138 and its intersections with local LA County roads. These intersections are life lines of the local community.
Our aim is to create safe paths of travel in order to reduce traffic violence. In the last year-and-a-half alone, the corridor has seen 11 fatalities and even more crashes as a result of unsafe road conditions. HWY 138 is in the high desert corridor and is a main route for state commerce logistics between the 5 and the 15 freeways, so it acts as a major roadway for locals and people traveling through the community.
Founders of the Highway 138 Safe Roads Initiative- From right to left, Sergio Arvizo, President of the Littlerock Rural Town Council, Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Christopher Minsal, President of the Pearblossom Town Council, Janet Flores, Littlerock Rural Town Council Member, and Siouxsie Calderon resident of the town of Juniper Hills
The 10-mile tour began at 82nd Street near Alpine Elementary and concluded at 165th Street in Llano. Along the way, we made important stops at every major intersection where changes have been proposed by CalTrans and LA Co DPW. At each location, we shared detailed accounts of past accidents, injuries, and tragic fatalities, including the names and ages of those lost, to reinforce the urgent need for action.
Following the tour, we gathered at the Pearblossom Community Center to continue discussions and build stronger connections between representatives from the various agencies. This meeting was not only productive but marked a renewed commitment to collaboration in pursuit of our shared vision: a safer PB HWY 138 for all.
Carrillo’s office staff, CalTrans office staff, LA Co. DPW office staff, CA senator Valladares representatives, and Keppel School District Superintendent Priya Darbari and Executive Secretary, Karina Hoffman, Chuck Boswick, Duluth Officer for Board of Supervisors Katherine Barger's office, and Officer Richards from the CA Highway Patrol.
Cyclist Safety Must Be Part of the Conversation:
As we work toward a safer Pearblossom Highway, it’s critical that we also consider the needs of cyclists who use, and have the legal right to use, this corridor. Currently, several stretches of the highway lack clearly marked shoulders, and there are no signs alerting motorists to share the road with cyclists.
According to California Vehicle Code § 21200, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. That means they are legally entitled to ride on most roads, including PB HWY 138. However, without signage or designated space, cyclists remain vulnerable, especially in areas with narrow lanes and limited visibility.
One recommended improvement is the installation of “Share the Road” signage along key segments of the highway. Increasing visibility through better striping, wider shoulders, and public awareness can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure safer travel for all.
Safety isn’t just about vehicles, it’s about everyone who shares the road. Cyclists deserve the same consideration and protection as any other road user.
