COSTA MESA : 3 Road Repair Jobs Finished, 3 to Go

The good news is that three of the city’s major street repair jobs are finished. The bad news is that three more still need to be completed.

Since January, residents have endured traffic jams, closed streets and detours as nearly every major thoroughfare in town undergoes extensive repairs. As of this month, half of the rehabilitation projects have been completed, making it smooth sailing on Adams Avenue, Victoria Street and Fairview Road.

However, work is continuing on Newport Boulevard, while two other projects on Wilson Street and Placentia Avenue haven’t started yet.

“I appreciate what I think is a whole lot of patience from the public,” said William Morris, director of public services. “It is all for the best in the long run if people will just bear with us a little while longer.”

The $9-million effort is sponsored by the federal government under a nationwide plan to fund transportation improvements across the country. The majority of the funding, nearly $7 million, is being provided by the federal government, while the city is expected to kick in about $1.7 million.

Repairs on Newport Boulevard, which have caused concerns among the business owners along the strip, is expected to continue until October. Besides road paving, many curbs and gutters are being installed or repaired along the route. About $3.5 million is going into this section alone.

The final two projects, including Placentia Avenue from Wilson Street to Adams Avenue and Wilson Street from Placentia Avenue to Pacific Avenue, will start later this month and are expected to be completed in about four months.

Until then, residents are asked to take alternate routes and be patient, Morris said.

“We are trying to do as much as we can,” said Morris, adding that while complaints are not pouring in, his field inspector has been the brunt of a few “one-finger gestures” by angry motorists. “There are just some things that are inherent in construction that are impossible to get around.”