LA City Council approves $1.4-billion sidewalk repair program

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles City Council approved Wednesday a $1.4-billion plan to repair a backlog of damaged sidewalks.

The program calls for the city to repair 11,000 miles of sidewalks over the next 30 years, at a cost of about $30 million each year. The amount was agreed to as part of a legal settlement with disability advocates.

People who have physical disabilities and trouble walking on damaged sidewalks will have their repairs fixed first.

After the repairs are finished, the upkeep would be left to the property owners. The plan also includes a rebate program available for three years, which will reimburse property owners willing to pay for their own repairs as much as $2,000 or $4,000 for commercial property.

The number of damaged sidewalks started piling up more than 40 years ago, in part because of legal questions over who was responsible for repairs.

The program is expected to start in December, with a sidewalks website going up on Thursday to give property owners a way to submit repair requests. Those with disabilities or who have trouble walking over damaged sidewalks must also submit requests.

City News Service contributed to this report.