BUENA PARK : City Council Passes Traffic Measures

In an effort to combat growing traffic problems, the City Council this week passed a series of measures aimed at making driving around town a little easier.

In the first of several actions, the council Monday unanimously supported plans for a 21-signal coordination project for La Palma Avenue. The plan is one of several being considered by the Orange County Transportation Authority using Measure M sales tax money.

If approved by the transportation authority, all signals along La Palma Avenue between the Santa Ana Freeway in Anaheim and Coyote Creek in La Palma would be coordinated.

Cost of the traffic signal modifications, telephone drops and traffic signal timing plans are estimated at $173,000 and would be completely paid for by Measure M funds.

The council also approved a $52,000 contract with Macadee Electrical Construction to install a traffic signal at the busy intersection of Los Coyotes Drive and Beach Boulevard. Cost of the installation will be shared by the city and the state Department of Transportation. Installation is expected to take place this summer.

Bids to overhaul five traffic signals were rejected by the council because of errors in the bidding process. Instead of awarding a contract, the council agreed to solicit more bids for the project, which involves upgrading five signals, including those at the main entrances to the Buena Park Mall.

In other traffic matters, the council agreed to place no-parking zones on Academy Drive near Buena Park High School. The school requested the red zones to make it easier for buses to load students. The no-parking areas will be on the north side of Academy Drive, east of Campus Drive.

After a recommendation by the Traffic and Transportation Commission, the council also approved no-parking zones on the south side of Orangethorpe Avenue east of Stanton Avenue.