Meeting_Body
Planning and Programming Committee
March 19, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: PROGRAM FUNDS FOR CITY OF REDONDO BEACH IMPROVEMENTS AT AVIATION AND ARTESIA BOULEVARD
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING $1,500,000 in additional programming within the capacity of Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs for improvements at the intersection of Aviation Blvd at Artesia Blvd in the City of Redondo Beach within the South Bay Subregion as shown in Attachment A; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer or their designee to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements for the Board-approved projects.
Issue
ISSUE
At the January 2025 meeting, the Board approved the updated project list and proposed changes related to schedules, scope, and funding allocations for existing projects as part of the bi-annual Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program.
The purpose of this Board report is to identify the project that will be added to the updated list and to program additional funds. The project was not included in the January 2025 Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs - Semi-Annual Update due to an administrative oversight and is needed at this time to avoid delays in the City’s procurement process for the construction of the project.
Background
BACKGROUND
Per the Measure R Expenditure Plan, the South Bay Subregion (Line 33) allocated funds for multimodal highway operational improvement subfund programs. In coordination with local jurisdictions, Metro staff lead the implementation and development of muti-jurisdictional and regionally significant highway and arterial projects.
Local jurisdictions prioritize and develop projects that are within the eligibility of both Measure R and Measure M program criteria. Metro staff worked with the City of Redondo Beach to review the project for eligibility and compliance with the Board-adopted policies outlined in Metro’s Complete Streets Policy, Active Transportation Strategic Plan, and First/Last Mile Strategic Plan. Projects are also further evaluated to ensure that projects aim to reduce congestion, resolve operational deficiencies, improve safety, and incorporate multimodal investments.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Additional programming in the amount of $1,500,000 is being requested for improvements at the intersection of Aviation Blvd at Artesia Blvd in the City of Redondo Beach, in the South Bay Subregion, as described below and shown in Attachment A.
South Bay I-405, I-110, I-105 & SR-91 Improvements
A total of $455,600,337 has been programmed for projects in the South Bay Subregion to date. This update includes funding adjustments for one existing project.
The project improves transportation operations, safety, and accessibility at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard through the construction of a northbound right-turn lane and various pedestrian enhancements. These roadway improvements will assist in optimization of transit operations at the intersection, benefiting Torrance Transit Lines 8 and 13.
Additionally, the project includes pedestrian safety and accessibility upgrades. These improvements involve replacing sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and driveways, as well as installing handrails, accessible pedestrian push buttons, countdown pedestrian signals, and a new ADA-compliant curb ramp at the southeast corner of the intersection. The project will also feature updated signage and landscaping to further enhance the area’s functionality and aesthetics.
The Project is proceeding with the construction phase. The Right-of-Way (ROW) settlement has been finalized, and the Project budget had the necessary funds to cover the cost. However, this nearly exhausts the available funds for the construction phase. The city is scheduled to advertise the construction phase in March, and without the additional $1.5M, construction would need to be delayed until the funds are secured. The programming of an additional $1,500,000 for MR312.20 - Aviation Blvd at Artesia Blvd intersection improvements in FY25-26 will result in a revised budget of $4,957,000.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The multimodal subregional programs support the development of a safer transportation system that will provide high-quality multimodal mobility options to enable people to spend less time traveling.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The highway projects are funded by the Measure R 20% Highway Capital subfund earmarked for the subregions. FY25 funds are allocated for the South Bay subregion, and FY25 funds are allocated in Cost Center 0441 in Project 460312. Funding for this project comes from line 33 of the Measure R Expenditure Plan.
Since the Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Programs are multiyear programs that contain various projects, Countywide Planning and Development will be responsible for budgeting the costs in current and future years.
Impact to Budget
This action will not impact the approved FY25 budget.
The source of funds for these projects is Measure R 20% Highway Funds. This fund source is not eligible for transit capital or operations expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This update funds subsequent phases of Board-approved Highway Subsidy grants aligned with the Measure R Board-approved guidelines and the Metro Objectives for Multimodal Highway Investments. The Highway Subsidy Grants offer opportunities to address transportation disparities via the development of projects through city contracts, which lead to locally determined and prioritized projects that represent the needs of cities. As with all subregions, the City of Redondo Beach independently and in coordination with its subregion, undertakes its jurisdictionally determined community engagement process specific to the type of transportation improvement it seeks to develop.
The intersection improvements at Aviation Blvd and Artesia Blvd in Redondo Beach will benefit Equity Focus Communities (EFC’s) in the subregion, as the Project will include improvements to new sidewalks, traffic striping and signal detectors to improve upon the safety and operations of the intersection, including Torrance Transit Lines 8 and 13.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While the agency remains committed to reducing VMT through transit and multimodal investments, some projects may induce or increase personal vehicle travel. However, these individual projects aim to ensure the efficient and safe movement of people and goods.
This Board item will likely increase VMT in LA County, as it includes an investment that encourages driving alone or increased vehicle travel by funding the construction of a separate northbound right turn lane on Aviation Boulevard at the intersection with Artesia Boulevard to improve vehicular operations for northbound through traffic. The improvements include removing and constructing a new sidewalk, along with curbs, gutters, and driveways, installing traffic striping modifications, and new signal loop detectors. The project also includes funding for safety improvements to facilitate pedestrian movement through the intersection and to ensure this item fits within the overall agency and statewide goals and to improve vehicular operations for northbound through traffic (including transit buses).
Although this item may not directly contribute to the achievement of the Board-adopted VMT Reduction Targets, the VMT Targets were developed to account for the cumulative effect of a suite of programs and projects within the Metro region, which individually may induce or increase VMT. Additionally, Metro has a voter-approved mandate to deliver multimodal projects that enhance mobility while ensuring the efficient and safe movement of people and goods.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports the strategic plan goal:
“Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.”
Goal 1.1. Approval of the multimodal highway subregional programs will expand the transportation system as responsibly and quickly as possible as approved in Measure R and M to strengthen and expand LA County’s transportation system.
“Goal 4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration”
Goal 4.1. Metro will work closely with municipalities, council of governments, Caltrans to implement holistic strategies for advancing mobility goals”
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the funding allocation for this project. However, this option is not recommended as it will delay the development of the construction phase and will face significant cost implications by delaying the required amendments.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will begin working on amending the Funding Agreement. Metro staff will also continue working with the South Bay Subregion and the other subregions for their consideration of multimodal investments within the Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Measure R South Bay I-405, I-110, I-105 & SR-91 Improvements - March 2025
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Roberto Machuca, Deputy Executive Officer, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 418-3467
Michelle Smith, Executive Officer, Complete Streets and Highways, (213) 547-4368
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Multimodal Integrated Planning, (213) 547-4317
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4274
