Variety of Civic Improvements Funded in Budget

Look for two new traffic signals, new park and playground equipment, road resurfacing and a new library parking lot within the next 12 months, all part of the $5.4-million capital improvement budget passed this week by the City Council.

Most of the extensive wish list created for the budget depends on funding sources that are not yet secure, said Councilman Kenneth E. Friess, who added that “we may find that we cannot fund any of these this year.”

But those projects to be paid through grants or Measure M funds will likely get underway or be completed by next summer, said William M. Huber, the city’s director of engineering and building.

Those projects include:

* New traffic signals at two intersections--a $300,000 installation at Rancho Viejo and Village roads to be completed by January or February, and a $119,000 installation at Del Obispo Street and Aguacate Road.

* A total of $165,000 in preventive street maintenance, including resurfacing Avenida Aeropuerto and the intersection of Del Obispo and Alipaz Street, among others. Those projects are currently out for bid, Huber said.

* The design and installation of the new, 77-space library parking lot at the corner of La Matanza Street and El Camino Real. Huber predicted the project would be completed by spring.

* The installation of new park playground equipment throughout the city. Total cost is estimated at about $113,000, Huber said.

* A $165,000 storm drain project in the neighborhood bounded by Aguacate Road and Sacarama Lane. Huber said the project is being jointly funded by the city and property owners in the area and is out for bid. It should be complete before January.

* A $125,000 project for the potential design of the realignment of Ortega Highway through the downtown area.

* A $1.4-million outlay for the engineering design of the realignment of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad tracks, the first step in the widening of Camino Capistrano south of San Juan Creek. The entire $10-million project will be funded by grants, with its eventual completion dependent on the passage of new public rail bonds, Huber said.

* A $60,000 entry plaza to the Los Rios Historic District. The project in underway and should be completed in two months.

* A $300,000 platform for Amtrak passengers near the Capistrano Depot. Work should begin in the fall.