Commission recommends right‑turn‑only restriction at Grant Avenue and Blossom Lane after residents cite crashes

The Redondo Beach Public Works and Sustainability Commission on (date not specified) recommended that the City Council approve a right‑turn‑only restriction for vehicles leaving Blossom Lane onto Grant Avenue after staff presented crash data and residents described frequent near‑misses and collisions.

City traffic engineer Ryan Lou told the commission the measure would “prohibit left and through movements from Blossom onto Grant,” meaning drivers on Blossom would only be able to turn right onto Grant at all hours. Lou said the change is “pretty easy to implement” and would likely cost roughly $1,000 for signs and pavement markings; he cautioned the restriction would still rely on enforcement and would require City Council approval because it represents a change in the city’s street system.

Lou said staff collected short peak‑hour counts and speed data showing a 85th percentile speed on Grant near 40 mph in places and that collision records show nine crashes in the past five years at the Blossom intersection, including four right‑angle collisions and four crashes that resulted in injury. He recommended the restriction as a low‑cost, rapid measure to remove the most hazardous turning movements and reduce conflicts.

Residents who live near the intersection strongly supported the restriction during public comment. Joe Archer, who said he has lived four houses from the corner for 20 years, told the commission he preferred the turn restriction over additional crosswalks: “I like the right turn feature. Yes. It’s gonna inconvenience a few, but you have two street lights on both sides of Blossom...Easy accessible.” Jason Schroeder, who said he has lived at the corner for 22 years and described having “witnessed several deaths at that intersection,” also urged immediate action. Cyclist Grace Peng described multiple “scary near misses” when turning from Blossom onto Grant and asked for daylighting and clearer bike lane paint to improve visibility.

Commissioners emphasized speed of implementation and community impacts. Commissioner Bajaj said the right‑turn restriction is a “quick, easy, low‑cost solution” and noted strong community support. The commission voted unanimously in a roll call (Commissioners Simpson, Bajaj, Anderson, Nafisi, Bealey and Chair Arata voted yes) to recommend the right‑turn restriction to the City Council.

Staff also presented other countermeasures studied and rejected or deferred: installing a traffic signal (not warranted and not currently fundable), median refuge islands (requiring lane reconfiguration and more space), and a rectangular rapid‑flashing beacon (RRFB) crosswalk, which Lou said would cost roughly $11,000–$15,000 to install and would likely be considered as part of future resurfacing projects.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; Lou said staff will bring the item to the City Council for final approval and implementation details. The city will need to determine funding for sign installation and handle coordination with law enforcement for ongoing compliance.

Commission members and staff said they will continue to monitor collision reports and community feedback while the item moves to council.

The commission moved on to its next agenda item after the vote.