Repaving the Road to the Future

Rebuilding roads in Anaheim has been discussed for years, so the current dust, noise and broken concrete is no surprise. However, even though the tearing up and replacing began only last year, it sometimes it seems it’s been going on forever. Residents and businesses are upset.

Anaheim’s lifeblood is tourism. There’s Disneyland, of course. But the Convention Center, Edison International Field and the Arrowhead Pond also draw crowds. Roads deteriorate and have to be replaced sometime. If not, people may not want to come and the tourist dollar migrates somewhere else.

So those inconvenienced by having to find new ways to and from work need to show some understanding. But the city and the Orange County Transportation Authority also have to understand that businesses whose customers are going elsewhere because of the upheaval are worried about paying their bills and keeping the doors open.

The rebuilding is expected to take another two years. It’s complicated by the fact that Disneyland is expanding as well, and although most of that is taking place on a parking lot at the park, there’s some spillover, if only from gawkers.

The billion-dollar expansion of the Santa Ana Freeway adds to the problems. The freeway will have additional lanes on a wider surface; offramps are being configured; Katella Avenue will be routed under the freeway.

That has made the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Katella, not far from Disneyland, an intersection to be avoided. And that has meant poor business for the gasoline station on one corner and the nearby motel.

Officials say they are better off getting everything done in three years rather than stretching out repairs over 10 years, which was a possibility. They’re right. Quicker is better in this case.

An Anaheim spokesman said the rebuilding around Disneyland is the first major investment in infrastructure in the area since the theme park opened more than 40 years ago. Streets are being widened, new water and sewer lines installed, and bus turnouts added.

The construction is the price to be paid for the more than $5 billion a year that tourism pumps into the county’s economy. Much of that money is due to Anaheim’s attractions. But business people and residents are right to hope that the construction is finished sooner than later and lasts for a good many years. Once in a long time is plenty.