Santa Ana : Traffic-Diverter Plan Is Extended

A traffic diverter designed to prevent commuters from taking a shortcut through the Washington Square neighborhood will remain in place for at least 45 more days, the City Council decided this week.

During that time, neighborhood leaders and the city will work to develop additional methods of dealing with traffic in the neighborhood, which is bordered by Civic Center Drive and 17th, Flower and Bristol streets.

Last March, the council approved a plan designed to reduce the amount of traffic flowing into the neighborhood by diverting traffic at Flower Street, preventing cars traveling west on Washington Avenue from entering the neighborhood.

So far, traffic counts conducted by the city’s Public Works Department indicate that while traffic has decreased on Washington Avenue and other streets, the diversion may be responsible for an increase in cars on other nearby streets.

George Keeler, president of the 250-member Washington Square Neighborhood Assn., acknowledged that the diverter has caused problems on other streets, but he said the problem could be solved with the development of a more comprehensive traffic plan.

“I’m encouraged because we will now be dealing with the situation in a more comprehensive way rather than taking a Band-Aid approach,” Keeler said.

The diverter had the support of more than 50 residents when the issue was discussed at this week’s City Council meeting, but the measure also had its detractors.

Resident Jennifer Requejo, who lives near the corner of 15th and Towner streets, called the diverter “an unmitigated failure.”

“Traffic has increased on 15th Street since the diverter was installed,” Requejo said. “What was once a quiet residential street has become a dangerous shortcut.”

Resident Anne Fielcowitz also spoke out against the traffic diverter, calling it part of an “elitist plan” for Washington Square residents.

“I protest your attempt to make it a private road for a privileged few,” Fielcowitz said.

Keeler said that the traffic diverter has the support of a majority of Washington Square residents.

“It’s an issue that we all need to work on because it’s going to come up in other neighborhoods,” Keeler added. “I think we’re blazing the way, and that leaves us open for both compliments and criticism.”

Councilman John Acosta said that while he was in favor of trying to develop a comprehensive traffic plan, he was troubled because the diverters have remained in place for much longer than the 90-day trial period originally approved by the council.

But Mayor Daniel H. Young said the residents deserve the council’s support. “These people are active, interested, home-owning members of the community who are extremely uncomfortable with the traffic in their neighborhood,” Young said. “I think we owe it to them to come up with a comprehensive plan.”