Moorlach to lead meeting about 19th Street bridge [Corrected]

COSTA MESA — The public is invited to an open house meeting next month to discuss a possible 19^th Street bridge linking Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach.

Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach will lead the meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Eader Elementary School, 9291 Banning Ave. in Huntington Beach.

Audience members will have a chance to give their opinions on the bridge, which has been a hot-button issue for decades and is on Orange County’s master transportation plan.

Several scenarios — with or without the bridge — will be on display.

Many assumed the bridge idea was dead years ago, but Moorlach revived the topic and met with Newport Beach and Costa Mesa officials to discuss it.

Advocates say the bridge would help traffic flow on Newport Boulevard and encourage growth on Costa Mesa’s Westside. Critics say it would increase noise for residents on both ends of the bridge and could harm nearby wetlands.

—Joseph Serna

Twitter: @JosephSerna