County approves cities’ rail link

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- A stretch of land between Costa Mesa and Irvine will be

considered as the first segment of a proposed countywide light rail

system, officials decided this week.

Despite apprehension from several core cities -- including Orange, Santa

Ana and Anaheim -- the Orange County Transportation Authority voted to

continue exploring whether to construct the controversial, 29-mile rail

line, said Dave Elbaum, the authority’s director of planning and

development.

Costa Mesa’s transportation services manager, Peter Naghavi, said the

vote shows the county is on track to finally approving the project.

“We’re really pleased with the outcome,” he said.

A complete rail line would connect Irvine with Fullerton, with stops at

John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza.

Elbaum said the county will know exactly which cities are on board by

July 2000. At that time, he said the authority also will know whether an

unconnected Irvine-Costa Mesa segment would be worthwhile on its own.

“It gives some of the other cities with reservations a chance to hop on

board,” said Naghavi, who said he has attended more than 100 meetings

over the past nine years with the cities and the authority.