Los Angeles Agrees to Spend $1B to Fix Sidewalks

Los Angeles has agreed to spend about $1 billion over 30 years to repair its sidewalks to settle a lawsuit filed by disabled residents.

The City Council on Wednesday agreed to fund repairs to resolve a lawsuit filed 4 1/2 years ago that claims the city violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act because disabled people couldn’t navigate damaged walkways.

A federal judge must approve the settlement.

The city has estimated about 40 percent of its 10,750 miles of sidewalks need repairs.

The California Department of Transportation settled a similar lawsuit in 2009. Caltrans agreed to spend about $1 billion over 30 years to fix sidewalks and other facilities controlled by the state.