Redondo Council Votes to Enforce Speed Limits : Plan to Close Ripley Ave. Dropped

The City Council has shelved a proposal to close off Ripley Avenue at Flagler Lane and voted unanimously to post speed limits and begin an aggressive enforcement program.

Responding to residents’ complaints of high-speed commuter traffic, the council on Tuesday authorized a 30 m.p.h. speed limit on Ripley Avenue between Flagler and Lilienthal lanes. From Lilienthal Lane to Inglewood Avenue, the council authorized a speed limit of 35 m.p.h., except near schools when children are present, where the limit will be posted at 25 m.p.h.

The speed limits were determined by recent traffic surveys on Ripley Avenue, as required by state law. According to Ed Ruzak, a traffic consultant with the firm that prepared the survey, BSI Consultants, 85% of the motorists on Ripley Avenue are driving at 31.7 to 35.2 m.p.h.

Ruzak’s report did not recommend closing off Ripley by a cul-de-sac at Flagler Lane, as was requested by some neighborhood residents. Ruzak said that action, without an extensive review of traffic circulation in the entire area, would only reroute commuter traffic through the narrower side streets in the neighborhood.

The council action, which was taken after nearly three hours of discussion, also requests a police report in 30 days to evaluate the effectiveness of the enforcement program. Police Chief Roger Moulton said that officers will enforce both the posted speeds and the stop signs on Ripley Avenue.

Councilwoman Marcia Martin said that if the enforcement program proves ineffective, she would consider other alternatives, including closing off Ripley Avenue at Flagler Lane.

About 100 residents, concerned by city notices warning them of the pending action to close off Ripley Avenue, packed the council chambers.

In a show of hands requested by Councilman John Chapman, most indicated they were opposed to closing the street. But of the 20 residents who spoke, 12 said they favored a cul-de-sac or other strong measures to reduce traffic on Ripley Avenue.