Infrastructure Improvements

By Pat Furey

So often as a Councilmember, I am asked by residents and business owners in Torrance when infrastructure maintenance or improvements will be done in their neighborhood or area of the City.

Once I am Mayor, I promise I will work toward improving our information technologies to allow residents easy access to capital project maintenance and improvements. For now I have listed below the projects that have been completed, that are in construction or scheduled for upcoming construction directly from the City of Torrance Public Works Department. As projects are added to the list, I will update my website to keep residents and businesses up-to-date on the issues that matter to them.

COMPLETION

Sepulveda Blvd Rehabilitation & Water Main Replacement (West city limit to Hawthorne Blvd); $4M. Completed in 2007, this project provided for a new 12-inch water main, pavement reconstruction and overlay, replacement of damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk and new turn lanes at Hawthorne Blvd, Anza Ave and at Palos Verdes Blvd.

190th Rehabilitation (West city limit to Hawthorne Blvd); $2M. Completed in 2008, this project repaired the pavement and damaged curb/gutters/sidewalk and also included traffic signal upgrades.

Torrance Blvd Rehabilitation; $6M. Completed in 2009, this project provided for a new storm drain, pavement reconstruction and overlay and replacement of damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk.

Crenshaw Blvd Rehabilitation (Maricopa St to Sepulveda Blvd); $2M. Completed in 2010, this project repaired the pavement and damaged curb/gutters/sidewalk and also included traffic signal upgrades and a new sidewalk along Wilson Park frontage.

Del Amo Blvd Extension; $32M. Completed in August 2012, the regionally-significant project connected the missing segment of Del Amo Blvd between Crenshaw Blvd and Madrona Ave. The new roadway has improved traffic circulation in central Torrance and improved the response times for public safety.

Hawthorne Boulevard Landscaping, A-017: $0.5M: Completed in 2013, this project provided new median landscaping on Hawthorne Boulevard between Del Amo Boulevard and Torrance Boulevard. Improvements included removal of existing hardscape and installation of new landscaping, irrigation, hardscape and signage.

Residential Slurry Seal Program, I-119: $1.4M: Completed in 2013, this project applied slurry seal to 5 million square feet of residential streets, in 4 neighborhoods and to 8 City-owned parking facilities (City Hall, Victor Park, Lago Seco Park, Walteria Park, Wilson Park and City Yard). Slurry seal helps to extend the pavement life and reduces maintenance costs. This is an annual program.

Maple Ave @ Sepulveda Blvd Intersection Enhancement, I-111: $330K: In 2013, the City completed construction of this project that installed a new designated southbound right-turn lane on Maple Avenue. The project improved traffic circulation at the intersection. The project was funded entirely by the South Bay Measure R Highway program.

IN CONSTRUCTION

North Torrance Well Field, Phase 1, I-108; $12M: The City acquired a property behind Yukon Elementary School for development of the North Torrance Well Field which will include a new groundwater Well #10, a new 3 million gallon storage tank and treatment facilities. The North Torrance Well Field will allow for the removal of the 900,000 gallon tank and pumping station at McMaster Park. For Phase 1 of this project, the City drilled a pilot Well #10 at the North Torrance Well Field site resulting in favorable water quality and production capacity. We also installed, in summer 2013, all underground utilities (sewer, storm drain, inlet/outlet water mains, electrical conduit, telephone conduit) and an access roadway. Staff is now initiating Phase 2 of this project to install required utilities in the public right-of-way. Phase 2 should be completed by end of 2014. Subsequently, Phase 3 would install the 3 million gallon storage tank, booster pump station, water treatment facilities and develop the Well #10. Phase 3 is scheduled for FY2015-16.

Stormwater Basin Enhancement Project, I-102: $4M; The Stormwater Basin Enhancement Project addresses bacteria and trash stormwater quality regulations adopted by the State. The enhancements will occur at the Amie, Henrietta and Entradero basins. The project is mostly funded by $3.6M of State and Federal grants. Construction began in February 2014.

Machado Lake Trash TMDL Project, I-138: $2M: The Machado Lake Trash TMDL project is a regional project to comply with State water quality regulations that requires cities to prevent any trash from entering the lake. The Machado Lake watershed from Torrance is the area south of Sepulveda Boulevard. The cities of Torrance, Carson, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Lomita and Palos Verdes Estates partnered together and received a $1.7M grant to install catch basin screens in all the cities and, if needed, No Parking Signs for street sweeping. Construction began in February 2014.

Protected Permissive Left Turn Flashing Yellow Arrow Traffic Signal Left Turn Upgrades, T-128; $160K. This project will install protected permissive left turn with flashing yellow arrow indications at the locations of 182nd and Prairie Ave, Arlington Blvd at Sepulveda Blvd and Cabrillo Ave at Sepulveda Blvd. The improvements will move traffic more efficiently and reduce delays. Construction started in April 2014.

Crenshaw Blvd Rehabilitation (190th to 182nd St), T-22; $2.3M. This project will repair the pavement on Crenshaw Blvd within the project limits and also include signage upgrades and landscape upgrades in the median and along the west frontage road. Construction began in April 2014.

Residential Street Rehabilitation (Area C) I-94; $2.8M. This project will rehabilitate the pavement in the Old Town Torrance area, north of Torrance Boulevard as well repair displaced concrete curb, gutter, sidewalks, and cross gutters. Construction began in April 2014.

Airport Security FEAP 616: $1M. This project will enhance security at the Torrance Airport by installing LED lighting at the hangers, replacement of chain link gates and fences along the Madison Street, security cameras, gate card readers, license plate readers and a centralized computer control system. Construction began in March 2014.

Sidewalk Repair for Handicap Accessibility, I-135: $1.7M. This project is replacing over 3.5 miles of damaged and/or uplifted sidewalks to provide for handicap accessibility throughout the residential areas in North Torrance (near Lincoln Elementary School) and County Hills in the south side of town. This project is also re-planting nearly 300 City trees. Construction will be completed in summer 2014.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION

Torrance Transit Park and Ride Regional Transit Terminal, FEAP 764, $21M. This project will interface with the Regional Rapid Service and existing light rail. It is envisioned to have level boarding platforms for transit vehicles, state-of-the-art passenger information kiosks and maps, parking spaces for Rideshare Van/Carpool participants and enhanced shelters, fare vending machines and public restrooms. Construction anticipated in summer 2014.

Palos Verdes Boulevard (south of PCH to south City limit): $2.2M. This project will rehabilitate the pavement on Palos Verdes Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and the south City limits. It will also construct missing and/or damaged concrete curb, gutter, sidewalks, and cross gutters; new bike lanes; sewer repairs and traffic signal upgrades. Construction will begin in fall 2014.

190th Street Rehabilitation (Hawthorne to Prairie): $770K. This project will rehabilitate the pavement on 190th Street between Hawthorne Blvd and Prairie Ave. It will also repair damaged curb, gutter, sidewalk and add new bike lanes. Construction will begin in summer 2014.

Residential Slurry Seal Program: $700K annually through 2018: This project will apply slurry seal to approximately 3 million square feet of residential streets in 4 neighborhoods and to City-owned parking areas (libraries, etc). Slurry seal helps to extend the pavement life and reduces maintenance costs. (SEE ATTACHED MAP OF AREAS). Construction will begin in summer 2014.

Arterial Street Pavement Sealing Program: $1M annually through 2018: This project will apply either a slurry seal or "Cape" seal to selected arterial streets, similar to the residential program. For summer 2014, staff has selected Del Amo Blvd, west of Prairie Ave. Construction will begin in summer 2014.

Hawthorne Blvd Rehabilitation (south of PCH to south City limit): $3.2M. This project will construct roadway improvements to Hawthorne Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and south City limit, including pavement rehabilitation, replacement of damaged curbs, gutters and sidewalk, new median landscape, and sign replacements. Construction will begin in fall 2015.

PCH & Hawthorne Intersection Improvements, T-131, $19M. This project will improve the traffic operation of the intersection by adding: second left-turn lanes for eastbound and westbound PCH to Hawthorne; dedicated right-turn lanes for eastbound and westbound PCH to Hawthorne; a right-turn lane for northbound Hawthorne to eastbound PCH; pavement rehabilitation and signal modifications. Design is in progress. Construction anticipated in summer 2015.