New South Bay Bike Path Connects More Residents To Beach Cities

REDONDO BEACH, CA — South Bay residents will soon have an easy open path to travel between Torrance and the Beach Cities via a brand new bike path that will be built in Redondo Beach, according to the Beach Cities Health District.

The Diamond Street & Flagler Lane Bike and Pedestrian Path Project will add a bike path, pedestrian infrastructure and improved lighting and safety enhancements to improve accessibility, promote active transportation and enhance multi-modal mobility options. Work for the path is expected to start in early July and should take approximately 90 days to finish.

“This project will create an important connection for the cycling community,” said Jim Hannon, President of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus, a nonprofit focused on making city streets safer for all road users. “During a series of outreach meetings to develop the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan, this particular route was identified by the residents of Redondo Beach and Torrance to be vital for the safety of children trying to get to school, families going to the beach and other local popular destinations in the Beach Cities.”

The Beach Cities Health District secured $1.83 million in funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop the Redondo Beach phase of the project adjacent to its Prospect Avenue Campus.

Development in Redondo Beach will connect the city to the border of Torrance as well as add new landscaping, bicycle video sensors and other safety features like retaining hills and new pavement. The project was originally laid out on the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan that was adopted in 2012 by seven cities.

BCHD said the beautification project will increase safety, health, economic dn environmental benefits with people-friendly street designs.

"This bike path will encourage cyclists and pedestrians to be active, while providing a more direct, clean and safer way for people to get from Prospect Avenue into Torrance. It’s a beautification project for that area and we are grateful to Metro and the South Bay Cities COG for their assistance with this project,” said BCHD CEO Tom Bakaly.

Though the Redondo Beach portion of the path is expected to be completed by Fall 2023, Torrance officials opted not to move forward with the city's portion of the project at this time, according to BCHD. The path will specifically connect South and North Redondo Beach to the intersection of Beryl Street and Flagler Lane in Torrance.

“We’re optimistic this bike path project will be completed in its entirety,” Bakaly said. “We continue to communicate with officials in Torrance and look forward to working with them to complete this important link between the beach and inland communities.”