HUNTINGTON BEACH : Plan for 3 Bridges Is Focus of 3rd Hearing

The last in a series of three public workshops to discuss a proposal to build three controversial bridges over the Santa Ana River will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at the Edison Community Center, 21377 Magnolia Ave.

The county is proposing to build crossings at Garfield and Gisler avenues, and Banning Avenue and 19th Street. A third bridge is also proposed at Atlanta Avenue and Wilson Street.

The river bridges, which would affect traffic circulation in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, are part of the county’s master plan for future roadways. The county conducted a study recently to determine whether it should abandon plans for the crossings.

County officials said the purpose of the workshop is to help the public become familiar with the study and give residents a chance to comment on the proposed project.

Staff from the county Environmental Management Agency as well as the project’s consultants will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

The studies are expected to be presented to the county Planning Commission in November and to the Board of Supervisors in December.

Copies of both the traffic and environmental reports are available for public review at libraries and city halls in each of the four cities as well as the county Environmental Management Agency, 300 N. Flower St., Suite 356, Santa Ana.

More information is available by calling Jenifer Rice, county planner, at (714) 834-5383.