To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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APPROVE THE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE OF AVENUE H AT DORIS WAY FROM NOVEMBER 28, 2025 THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2026 AND THE ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC CONTROL AND TRASH COLLECTION MEASURES TO HELP MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE ANNUAL TORRANCE HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A recent discussion with City Council considered adjustments to the temporary street closure plan at Avenue H during the nightly holiday lights display in the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood in Torrance. Direction was given for staff to determine the level of commitment the City of Torrance would make to manage traffic at the city boundary at Avenue H if Redondo was to make modifications to the annual plan. Staff from the City of Torrance shared that Torrance was unable to commit any additional police resources to these nightly events and as a result withdrew their request for Redondo to modify the closure.
Accordingly, staff recommends Avenue H be closed to vehicular through traffic at Doris Way, which demarks the City boundary between Redondo Beach and the City of Torrance, from Friday, November 28, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026, as it has the past 20 plus years. The times of the proposed street closure are from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily. Staff also recommends reimplementation of the traffic signage/circulation plan used last year and the placement of additional trash cans to improve safety, cleanliness, and traffic operations in the neighborhood. Staff will monitor and adjust the plan as necessary during the holiday season.
BACKGROUND
This seasonal street closure was initiated in 1993 by a petition from residents along Avenue H, Massena Avenue, and Circle Drive requesting that the City address heavy traffic congestion due to the Seaside Ranchos (Torrance) neighborhood’s holiday season light displays. Representatives from the cities of Redondo Beach and Torrance met and determined that temporary barricades installed by Redondo Beach would resolve the issue. In an effort to address issues raised by the residents, staff implemented more robust measures to address various issues, including a temporary roundabout, additional red curb, additional signs, and additional trash cans in 2024.
Current practice includes the daily installation and removal of lockable in-street bollards during the closure period, daily trash pick-up, installation of signage, a temporary roundabout at the Avenue H and Massena intersection, and placement of trash cans. As resources allow, the Redondo Beach Police Department will deploy enhanced enforcement and patrols in the neighborhood during the holiday season.
COORDINATION
The Public Works Department would assign personnel to post signs and set up the temporary roundabout and would, as in years past, install/remove the bollards and empty the additional trashcans daily during the year-end holiday season. Public Works Operations employees perform these tasks as they regularly work evenings, seven days per week.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the annual street closure and traffic/trash mitigation plan on Ave H is included in the Public Works Department’s portion of the adopted FY 2025-26 Annual Budget and is part of the Department’s annual work program. The placement of signs and street closure barricades is performed during maintenance and operations staff’s normal working hours. All signs and barricades are reused from year to year.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Exhibits - Avenue H Neighborhood Holiday Lights Traffic Mitigations