BUENA PARK : City Warns Caltrans on 10-Lane Freeway

More than 60 homes and businesses, including key redevelopment projects, could be eliminated if the state Department of Transportation widens the Santa Ana Freeway beyond eight lanes, city officials said this week in a report to Caltrans.

Ten or 12 lanes “would have an adverse impact on the community,” Director of Engineering Don Jensen said. “We endorse eight lanes.”

But Caltrans spokesman Albert Miranda said a tentative decision has been made to widen the freeway to 12 lanes in the communities south of Buena Park, including Anaheim. A determination regarding Buena Park has not been made at this time, he said, adding that the 12-lane configuration is preferred.

The project is part of a billion-dollar expansion from the intersection of the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways in Orange County to the San Gabriel River Freeway (605) in Los Angeles County. Buena Park would be included in the last phase.

According to the report sent to Caltrans, Buena Park would lose $1.75 million in annual sales taxes if the freeway is expanded beyond eight lanes. Two redevelopment projects could be jeopardized--an auto mall and a retail center that are being developed adjacent to the freeway for visibility.

“Several, if not most, of the automobile dealers would be faced with relocation to another city,” the report states.

Despite the threat, officials say they will proceed with the redevelopment projects. “We are going ahead,” said Gus Duran, acting director of redevelopment, about the retail center at Artesia Street and Manchester Boulevard.

Duran said city officials pursued the projects despite plans for the freeway widening because it seemed Caltrans would never have adequate funding to carry out the project. Funding for the Buena Park phase still has not been secured, Miranda said. Because of this, construction might not begin for seven years, he said.

The state will hold a series of public hearings on the project before a final decision is made.

The purpose of the widening project is to reduce traffic congestion and increase the capacity of existing freeways. A total of 17.5 miles of freeway are expected to be included in the makeover.