River Flood-Control Work Moves Ahead

The Santa Ana River flood-control project is moving upstream with the completion of another phase of construction through Costa Mesa.

A “construction turnover” ceremony Friday at Suburbia I Park, on the river’s edge, marked completion of the $32-million second phase of the project, which stretched from Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach to just above the San Diego Freeway.

“This is a major project that we’ve waited a long time for. It’s good to see it moving forward,” said Herbert Nakasone, manager of flood programs for the county’s environmental management agency.

Edward Andrews, Army Corps of Engineers project manager for the lower Santa Ana River, said the second phase was started in April, 1992, with a completion target of November, 1993, but was delayed by rain.

The project included building a 2.3-mile concrete lining for the river channel, Andrews said.

The second phase is part of the $1.4-billion Santa Ana River Mainstem Flood Control Project, which will provide increased flood protection for those who live in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Andrews said the entire project is two years ahead of schedule and getting done at a savings.

“We accelerated our design schedule to take advantage of the good bidding climate. We’re getting good prices,” he said. They are “coming in lower than expected. So it’s good for the taxpayers.”

Work on the river upstream to just below Prado Dam on the eastern outskirts of Orange County is expected to be completed by the year 2000, Andrews said.

Last August, the first phase of the project between Pacific Coast Highway to south of Adams Avenue was finished.

Construction on Phase Three, north of the San Diego Freeway to Warner Avenue in Fountain Valley, has also been completed.

Andrews said that work is slated to begin in mid-April on the next phase, continuing north to 17th Street in Santa Ana, with completion scheduled for December.

He said construction-vehicle traffic will be routed in a way to minimize the impact on local residents.

Cyclists, joggers and others who use the river trail will be detoured onto city streets during this phase of construction.

The trail remains open from Pacific Coast Highway to Warner Avenue.

Andrews said a contract is expected to be awarded for the fifth and sixth phases next month, with construction to begin in late April.

That part of the project is between 17th and Glassell streets in Orange, with construction winding up in November, 1995.