Streetscape improvements include sidewalks, walls, and landscape.

Carson Street is a major east-west arterial street running through the middle of the city of Torrance. Torrance is located near Los Angeles in southern California. This reconstruction project was 1.66 km (1.03 miles) long, and its limits are Madrona Avenue to the west and Crenshaw Avenue to the east.

The street is predominately residential in character; 75 percent of the frontage is single-family homes and the remainder is multifamily garden-style apartments. Some commercial developments are located at the intersection of Carson Street and Crenshaw Avenue and in the vicinity of the Del Amo Fashion Mall, near the intersection of Carson Street and Madrona Avenue.

Improve Traffic Flow Along Corridor

A driving issue behind the project was to relieve congestion and increase roadway capacity to improve traffic flow to and from the expanding Del Amo Fashion Mall area, which has over 18.6 ha (2.0 million sqft) of retail commercial activity. The 1988 baseyear average daily traffic (ADT) volume was 28,000, which was anticipated to increase to 31,000 by 1992. As a result of the recession experienced in the region during the late 1980s and early 1990s, the projected volume increases did not occur. The current (1995) ADT is at about the preconstruction level of 28,000 vehicles per day.

Improve Safety Conditions

High levels of traffic congestion on the original fourlane undivided cross sections and the absence of leftturn lanes were responsible for a high rate of accidents, primarily rearend collisions. Travel speeds at about ten mph above the posted 56.5kph (35mph) limit and poor pavement conditions contributed to further safety concerns.

General Improvements to Street and Streetscape

Before the project, the street had no curb, gutter, or sidewalks and residential access was over dirt or gravel driveways. The street had little landscape material or aesthetic features. Utilities, such as electrical power, cable TV, and telephone, were all on overhead lines.

Environmental and Design Issues and Constraints

Moving utilities underground was a major consideration of the project. The estimated cost for relocating utility lines underground, including power (Southern California Edison), cable TV (Paragon Cable Television), and telephone (Pacific Bell), was $2.3 million, which raised the issue of funding. Another major design issue was the maintenance and improvement of existing residential driveways. Little or no driveway consolidation was desired. The presence of residential development along both sides of the roadway precluded consideration of any significant right-of-way acquisition.

Actions Taken to Resolve Issues and Constraints

Capacity and Safety Improvements

To improve roadway capacity and safety, a five-lane urban cross section with a two-way median leftturn lane was implemented.

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   Carson Street Reconstruction