Officials Post Concerns About Freeway Signs
Some City Council members expressed concern this week that Newport Beach has disappeared from some freeway signs.
“We have been spending countless hours on economic development, improving tourism, and there’s not even a sign saying: ‘This way to Newport Beach,’ ” Councilman John E. Noyes Jr. said.
When the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road opened in November, some large signs were changed to make it obvious to motorists they were approaching a toll road.
Now, instead of pointing out the Corona del Mar Freeway where it meets the San Diego Freeway, the sign reads: “To SJH Toll Road.” At the same time, the words “Newport Beach” were removed from overhead signs on the southbound Costa Mesa Freeway.
“It’s almost as if we have been taken off the map,” Noyes said.
City Manager Kevin J. Murphy said that change was made to comply with a new California Department of Transportation policy not to name destination cities on some freeway signs.
Murphy said the agency has agreed to place small signs near some roads indicating the exits visitors may take to get to Newport Beach.
City officials will continue to lobby to have “Newport Beach” indicated on large overhead signs along the freeways, he said.
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