County May Reinstate Road Projects

A county planning group is scheduled to meet this morning to consider reinstating two Irvine road improvement projects that were suspended to help pay for the controversial Newport Coast Drive bypass.

The county had planned to use $920,000 in Measure M transportation funds earmarked for the Irvine projects to help with construction of the $10.5-million bypass. But Transportation Director Ken Smith told Irvine officials that the county will now seek to reinstate the projects.

The county’s change of plans is a direct result of the City Council’s Jan. 9 refusal to grant permission for bypass construction, officials said. The route would provide a toll-free bypass to the 1.5-mile section of Newport Coast Drive that will become part of the San Joaquin Hills toll road.

Irvine council members previously approved the bypass route under threat of losing millions of dollars in Measure M funds. But the council vowed not to fund or initiate construction of the route, which residents fear will bring thousands of additional commuters into their neighborhoods.

The council also must designate the proposed route as a county highway before construction can begin. But council members refused, saying the use of Irvine’s Measure M money violated their pledge not to pay for the bypass.

With the county’s willingness to reinstate Irvine’s transportation projects, City Manager Paul O. Brady said, today’s vote by the regional planning group is not critical because it is only advisory. Brady said the final decision will be made early next month by the Orange County Transportation Authority board.

If the city’s two road improvement projects are reinstated, Irvine Mayor Michael Ward said, he will approve the county’s plans for bypass construction.