Buena Park : Council OKs 1st Phase of ‘Superstreet’ Concept

The City Council has unanimously endorsed the first phase of the Beach Boulevard “superstreet” proposal.

The council’s action Monday constitutes a step toward expanding the street by two lanes, coordinating traffic signals, widening intersections and establishing turnouts so buses can stop without blocking traffic--all improvements called for in the project’s first phase. For Buena Park, the proposal also includes regulating parking during peak hours, City Engineer Don Jensen said.

The first phase would occur between now and 1991.

The full, $24-million, 19-mile project must be approved by the eight cities it runs through as well as the county Board of Supervisors. With its decision Monday night, Buena Park joins Westminster and Fullerton in approving the project’s first phase.

The council did not endorse the construction of an overpass for the intersection of Beach Boulevard and La Palma Avenue. Representatives of Knott’s Berry Farm, whose main access is Beach Boulevard, said at the meeting that such a change would be detrimental to the attraction and other businesses in the area.

Officials of the Orange County Transportation Commission who testified at the council meeting said that Buena Park’s decision is important because 25% of the project lies within the city’s limits.