To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECOMMENDED TRAFFIC STRIPING MODIFICATIONS TO DIAMOND STREET BETWEEN PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND PROSPECT AVENUE TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND TRAFFIC FLOW NEAR REDONDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the City’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, the City Council directed staff to study potential safety and circulation improvements along Diamond Street between Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Prospect Avenue to improve traffic operations on City streets around Redondo Union High School (RUHS) during the school’s peak periods. The City hired a consultant with substantial experience performing school area traffic/safety studies throughout the region and country. Existing conditions data was collected, a stakeholder focus group was conducted, an online community meeting was held, and potential improvements were analyzed in cooperation with Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) officials.
At this time, staff is proposing minor enhancements to on-street school loading zones on the north side of RUHS, and to modify existing striping on Diamond Street to calm traffic, provide improved bicycle lanes, and install a dedicated bicycle turning lane into RUHS at Sea Hawk Way. These improvements were presented at a District 2 Community Meeting on October 22, 2025 and the Public Works & Sustainability Commission (PWSC) on October 27, 2025. The PWSC Administrative Report, the study, and the public noticing area for that agenda item are included for reference. If approved by the City Council, staff will proceed with final design for construction as part of a future slurry seal project on Diamond Street.
BACKGROUND
On October 27, 2025, the PWSC expressed support for the project, but with the request that fewer changes be made to existing curb space along the school’s frontage of Vincent Park. The public input received at the PWSC meeting was predominately against the recommended improvements, resulting in a scaled-back proposal that is being presented to the City Council with this item, though the recommended changes in the Consultant’s report are technically effective and supported by staff.
As a result of the PWSC’s input, staff recommends approving the consultant’s Report and the proposed changes, with the exception noted above. These changes include:
• Narrowed vehicular lanes to decrease speeds on Diamond St
• Parking-protected bicycle lane sections where feasible to improve safety (-1 space on Diamond St west of Del Amo Bl, -11 spaces east of Del Amo Bl)
• Buffered bicycle lanes where on-street parking preservation is important
• More robust bicycle lane striping to current best practice
• Bus stop relocation at Diamond/Helberta (near side to far side) to improve crosswalk compliance and adhere to bus stop best practices
• In-street bicycle parking corral near Starbucks to encourage on-street bike riding
• Dedicated bicycle left-turn lane into Sea Hawk Way, and possibly into future Francisca pick-up/drop-off zone1, to address safety issues
• Dedicated bike entry into bike parking areas in RUHS
• Quick-build curb extensions and protected median islands at major crosswalk locations along Diamond St to simplify turning movements and improve safety
• Refreshed pick-up/drop-off zones along Diamond St to improve usage, to be utilized as short-term parking during the school day for visitors
• Refreshed loading zone signage along RUHS’ southern frontages
Staff would also like to note that RBUSD is embarking on a District-led, and funded, project to create another on-campus pick-up/drop-off zone along the southern extension of Francisca Avenue, south of Diamond Street, which is the District’s private property. While this area is owned and controlled by RBUSD, City and RBUSD officials are working together so the District’s project results in a desirable outcome for both parties and the community. It is expected that this separate project would absorb some demand from other loading zones, both on and off RUHS property.
At this time, staff is seeking direction on whether to move forward with the proposed changes along Diamond Street. If approved, staff will issue a notice-to-proceed to the consultant to commence preparation of final plans and specifications for construction documents.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Public Works Department. The consultant’s Report has also been reviewed by RBUSD officials, and was presented for public input at the October 27, 2025 PWSC meeting and the October 22, 2025 District 2 Community meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
Traffic Calming funds in the amount of $180,000 were approved by the City Council for this project as part of the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, of which $84,965 is encumbered for the Report/Study and the subsequent preparation of final design plans and specifications. The cost of slurry sealing Diamond Street and incorporating the recommended striping improvements is not yet known, but any funding needed beyond the remaining $95,035 available for project implementation is expected to be supplemented by other Traffic Calming and Bicycle Transportation Plan Implementation funds.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 - PWSC Administrative Report October 27, 2025