SANTA ANA : Washington Square Traffic Plan OKd

The City Council has approved a plan to reduce traffic flowing into the Washington Square neighborhood, which is bordered by Civic Center Drive and 17th, Flower and Bristol streets.

The plan will divert traffic at Flower Street and prevent cars traveling westbound on Washington Avenue from being able to enter the neighborhood.

A traffic diverter will be in place for a three-month trial during which monthly traffic counts will be taken to monitor the flow.

About 50 Washington Square residents attended last week’s meeting to support the plan, saying they were tired of heavy traffic along Washington Avenue and concerned for the safety of their children.

George Keeler, president of the 250-member neighborhood association, said Washington Avenue gets “cut-through” traffic meant for an arterial highway.

“This does not add to the quality of life in our neighborhood,” Keeler said.

Mayor Daniel H. Young praised the residents for working with the city to devise the traffic plan, which was recommended by the city’s Transportation Advisory Committee.

“I think Washington Square showed a lot of leadership and showed us that we need to get on top of things on a citywide basis,” Young said.

While the plan had its share of supporters, it had just as many detractors. Councilman John Acosta voted against it, saying that he disagreed philosophically with granting any one neighborhood a traffic plan.

“When you do that, then every neighborhood will want them,” Acosta said. “What neighborhood wouldn’t want zero traffic on their streets?”