If you’re not familiar with the Fairfax Asterisk, you’re not alone. The name refers to the six-way intersection in Fairfax connecting the major streets of Fairfax Avenue, Olympic Boulevard, and San Vicente Boulevard. As a resident living in Los Angeles, it’s nearly impossible to avoid these main streets, so during peak traffic hours, the street only gets crazier. 

Since the Fairfax Asterisk is located between three different city districts, sitting at the border of Council Districts 4, 5, and 10, locals have found it difficult to communicate their concerns. However, a new organization, which consists of neighbors from Carthay Square, Carthay Circle, and Wilshire Vista, is exploring both short-term and long-term ways to make the intersection safer. The group goes by the name “Fix the Fairfax Asterisk.” 

The community group wants to make the Fairfax Asterisk safer for pedestrians, including short-term improvements such as adding crossing guards, in-street pedestrian signage, or signals giving walkers a head start. The organization is also looking towards long-term solutions such as building a separate pedestrian bridge or tunnel to bypass the busy cross street. However, since Fix the Asterisk is still in its early stages, the group’s current focus is simply partnering up with the city to conduct a study evaluating possible safety improvements. 

The organization’s spokesperson Michelle Menna told Streetsblog LA that she worries about her children crossing the intersection to go to school. Not only does it take several signals for pedestrians to fully cross the intersection, parts of the Fairfax Asterisk are also littered with trash and homeless tents.

It’s unclear how drivers will react to changes. The city recently gave up its commitment to Vision Zero, a city-wide safe streets initiative, due to outrage from Playa Vista residents and drivers about road improvements.