15th Street Will Be Rebuilt

Fifteenth Street, an aged roadway marking part of the boundary between Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, for years has flooded with every heavy rain. But motorists can expect better driving conditions by the next rainy season.

In a cooperative project with Costa Mesa, to begin in two weeks, 15th Street will be rehabilitated from Old Newport Boulevard to Irvine Avenue, said Newport Beach city engineer Lloyd Dalton, who is the project’s engineer.

“The street is in very poor shape structurally,” Dalton said.

The $1-million project will include constructing a storm drain, installing wheelchair- and stroller-accessible curbs, and removing a dip on Riverside Avenue that was installed 25 years ago to relieve flooding along the Costa Mesa side of 15th Street.

Dalton said the entire street will be reconstructed, with work expected to be completed in late August. Newport Beach will pay for about 80% of the project because, as part of the work, the city will install a new water main. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District will also be involved, allowing work crews to use a school parking lot for materials and equipment.

Both Newport Harbor High School and Newport Heights Elementary School are on 15th Street. Dalton said the construction is scheduled to coincide with the schools’ summer break.