The RHA wishes to bring you an update to the project underway to renovate the look of the PCH strip on the south side of PCH (across from South High school). For years, the residents living alongside PCH have had to deal with noise and pollution from the street, as well as shabby fence treatments and unsightly vegetation. Several accidents have involved cars crossing into the area, endangering pedestrians and homeowners. The interests of these residents, and really all of the Hollywood Riviera, lies in having safe, attractive, and economical improvements made to this area. The goals are to provide safety for the residents, motorists, and the students who flock to this area every weekday morning, and to improve the aesthetics of the approach along the north side of our neighborhood.
In June, the City Council awarded a contract to construct fencing and guardrails along PCH between Calle Mayor and Nancy Lee Lane. This project is being coordinated by the Torrance Public Works Department, but involves other agencies, particularly Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over PCH.
In August-September of 2016, 15 trees along the south side of PCH (within the Caltrans-dictated PCH setback) will come out and a new fence will go in. The fence will be made of tubular steel railing, and the natural color will be silver/ gray; powder-coated to achieve corrosion resistance. There will be crossbars, and square plastic caps on top of the tubes. It will look similar to the fence along Western Avenue near Toyota Way. Attached is a quick rendering of what it will look like. Note that only the fence itself is planned to be added. Because of the drought, the city is precluded from adding any greenery until after a reclaimed water line is installed in the area for irrigation.
PCH fence and guardrail rendering.
(Photo courtesy Torrance Public Works Dept)
The fence will be covered with the windscreen/tarp after it is constructed. The chain link fence in the center median of PCH will be removed when the fence is installed, since it will be “redundant fencing.”
The West Basin Recycled Water Line Project is providing funds to construct dual left turn lanes at PCH and Anza, heading east/west on PCH. Torrance Public Works has a design for a recycled water line to bring water from Anza and PCH to the south median across from South High School, which will be installed at the same time as the intersection remodel. The West Basin Water Project (not the city of Torrance) has to submit plans to Caltrans for approval and permitting. Realistically, the plans will be submitted in the summer of 2017. The construction of the intersection and water line will be about a year later, in 2018. In the meantime, there may be an allowance made for potable water to be used for the landscaping, which will speed completion of the project.
There is no “planting plan” yet for the south median. There WAS an original plan before the drought. Under consideration are water wise plantings and retention of the podocarpus trees,along with other plants that would give a tiered effect. The final foliage will depend on what trees are on the Caltrans list of approved plantings.
For full details, please visit the Public Works project website here. That site will continue to be updated by the city as progress is made. Your Riviera Homeowners Association has undertaken many efforts to impress the various agencies involved with the need to improve the health, safety, and property values of residents along PCH by moving this project forward. Thanks for your support to the RHA!
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Riviera Homeowners Association 