New Sidewalk in NoHo Aims to Keep Kids Safe

Six years after a young girl was killed by a driver while crossing the street, children in North Hollywood have a new safe way to get to school.

Thanks to a $500,000 program, a new sidewalk has been added to ensure children no longer have to walk on the road to get to and from school.

The 1700-foot long sidewalk was funded by the Safe Routes to School program, which is a collective effort by parents, community leaders and local, state and federal governments.

"The fact that the city made this a focus was incredibly important for our school and our community," said Andrea Giacusa, the principal of nearby Bellingham Elementary school. 

The community rallied together after a car ran down two girls at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Archwood Street in 2010.

The accident left a 12-year-old girl dead and the other girl permanently disabled.

Los Angeles Councilman Paul Krekorian spearheaded the effort for a sidewalk following the deadly accident. 

"For the first time the city has a commitment for the next three decades of funding sidewalk repair, which we haven't done in the better part of 40 years," Krekorian said.

Students from Bellingham Elementary took part in the official opening of the sidewalk.

"I think it's safe for everyone in the neighborhood so they don't have to cross the street and get run over by a car," said Gabiella, a third-grader at the school.