City council approves conceptual plans for Redondo Beach Boulevard bikeway, seeks Metro construction funds

The Redondo Beach City Council unanimously approved conceptual plans and recommended funding agreements Tuesday night to extend the North Redondo Beach bikeway to Grant Avenue and to build a mobility hub at Inglewood and Grant.

The council approved three actions: the concept plans for the bikeway and native-planting mobility hub; a funding agreement with Los Angeles County Metro for the Metro Active Transportation (MAT) project; and a professional services agreement with CR Associates to finish design and prepare construction plans.

City traffic engineer Ryan Lou told the council the MAT project aims to create a low-stress walking-and-biking corridor linking Dominguez Park to El Camino College and the existing North Redondo bikeway. The conceptual design calls for protected two-way cycle tracks in several segments, new wayfinding and rest amenities at a triangular lot the city now owns at Inglewood and Grant, and native-plant screening for nearby cemetery property.

Lou said Metro has already awarded roughly $8 million toward the corridor and the city expects to seek additional Metro Measure M funds for construction. He said the project team is at roughly 15% design and that the city will lead final design and contract administration if partner agencies sign on.

City staff emphasized the project crosses multiple jurisdictions. Lawndale and Los Angeles County are full partners; Torrance has so far declined full partnership and has raised concerns about parking impacts on its side of Redondo Beach Boulevard. Council members asked staff to work with Torrance elected officials and staff to produce an alternative exhibit that avoids parking losses within Torrance and to brief neighboring council members as plans develop.

Councilmembers pressed staff about details that will affect Near‑term construction and staging, including Southern California Edison poles that may need relocation along Lilienthal Avenue in front of Washington Elementary. City staff said SCE has not yet committed but that project schedules and utility relocations will be coordinated during design and that temporary or alternative alignments could be developed if negotiations take longer than expected.

Timing and next steps: staff said final design might take about a year, followed by procurement and then 12–18 months of construction if full funding is secured. Councilmembers asked for a mid‑design update (40% or 50% plans) so elected officials and nearby cities can review proposed parking impacts before final bids are solicited.

The council voted 5–0 to approve the conceptual plans, the Metro funding agreement and the CR Associates professional services agreement. Councilmember comments praised the effort to connect the coast with inland schools and El Camino College and urged outreach to Torrance and Lawndale to secure contiguous protection for cyclists and pedestrians.

The city will return with more detailed design exhibits showing options that avoid parking loss in Torrance, and staff will work with Metro, Lawndale, and LA County to finalize funding and construction timing.

Why it matters: Redondo Beach—s project aims to fill a missing link between existing bike infrastructure and a broader regional route. Staff and council said the protected facilities and a mobility hub should improve safety for student and commuter trips and encourage non‑vehicular travel across the South Bay.

What’s next: staff will advance design, produce a parking‑impact exhibit for Torrance, seek full construction funding from Metro Measure M, and return with progress reports during design milestones.