City to Apply for Bicycle Grant

The Redondo Beach City Council took a small step last Tuesday in the process of building a Class 1 cycle track along Harbor Drive as well as a roundabout at the Yacht Club Way and Herondo Street dog-legged intersection when it authorized city staff to apply for a State of California Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) grant.

The cycle track—a two-way bike path that is physically separated from the rest of the street—is part of the seven-city adopted in September 2011.

According to the administrative report the Council received, the BTA provides "state funds for city and county projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters." Caltrans estimates that $7.2 million per year will be available for these projects.

"The grant application will request funding for the design of the cycle track, roundabout and associated street, signal and parking modifications; a public outreach campaign to involve stakeholders in the final design; and construction funds," according to the report.

The city estimates that the design and construction of the track and roundabout will cost $1.2 million. If received, the grant would cover 90 percent of the cost, or $1.08 million. The city would cover the remaining $120,000.