COSTA MESA / NEWPORT BEACH : Storm Drain Planned Under 15th Street

Residents of 15th Street know that heavy rains bring flooded intersections to their neighborhood on the Costa Mesa-Newport Beach border.

But that will soon change.

The cities are joining forces to build a storm drain under 15th Street that officials said will stop the flooding as well as improve the look of the street.

The periodic street flooding has not affected homes, but officials said it can make driving tricky.

“It’s not desirable to have that much water in the street,” said Bill Morris, Costa Mesa’s director of public works. The improvement project will “keep the street drier during the rain and make it less hazardous for vehicles.”

The plan also calls for the installation of new sidewalks on 15th Street between Irvine and Riverside avenues. Some of the existing sidewalks are crumbling, and other portions of the street presently have no sidewalks, Morris said.

The storm drain is expected to cost about $400,000 to $500,000. The costs are going to be divided between the two cities. Work is not expected to begin until next year.

The cities recently allocated $11,000 to hire UMA Engineering Inc., which will draw up plans for the storm drain.

The work will require 15th Street to be dug up. “There will be some inconveniences while the construction is going on,” Morris said.