Building Boom in Santa Ana

Over the next year, Santa Ana will undergo a period of intense construction as major streets are widened or repaired, traffic signals are installed, sidewalks are fixed and neighborhood parks are bettered throughout the city.

The city will build much more than usual this year, in part because it had more money from county programs and settlements, officials said.

Traffic jams are expected while street repairs are underway, and the city will post work schedules and detour plans in construction areas.

Some of the main projects this year include:

* About $23,577,247 will be spent on major road improvement projects such as the widening of Bristol Street between Edinger and McFadden avenues, the realignment of McFadden Avenue at Main Street and the reconstruction of Harbor Boulevard south of Warner Avenue. McFadden Avenue will be realigned so that it continues uninterrupted at Main Street.

* Curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be improved in the midtown New Horizons neighborhood.

* New traffic signals and railroad crossings will be added throughout the city.

* About $1,856,000 will be spent on improving bike trails, the Santa Ana Stadium bleachers, Santiago Park and other playgrounds.

* The city also plans to build the long-awaited Delhi Community Center this year.

The center, which will be built on the former city maintenance yard on Central Avenue near Delhi Park, will have a large assembly room, a gym, classrooms, counseling services and an automotive shop where children will be able to learn how to work on cars.

Building the center will cost about $5,185,000, city officials said. The City Council could award a construction contract for the center as early as October.