Euclid Street construction moving ahead of schedule

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- To the relief of drivers in the city, the Euclid

Street improvement project is ahead of schedule and expected to be

complete by April 1.

In the meantime, residents must continue to travel Euclid with caution.

“It’s the price we pay for improvement,” said Sgt. Kevin McKeown of the

Fountain Valley Police Department.

A few weeks ago, the California Highway Patrol notified police because

Euclid Street traffic was backed up on the freeway. To alleviate some of

the congestion, the traffic lights for the cars exiting the freeway are

now programmed to remain green for a longer time.

Though the congestion is enough to set drivers off, the day-to-day

changes and temporary closures also add to the confusion at street

intersections.

“We post the lane closures to protect the public and the workers,”

McKeown said.

While the number of traffic accidents has not increased because of

traffic’s slower pace, problems have occurred from people not willing to

drive around the block, police said. Officers have issued more tickets

primarily to drivers failing to obey the temporary road signs, McKeown

said.

“I just don’t drive there anymore,” said Darrin Bond, a resident who

received a ticket last week for failing to obey a no-turn sign while

driving through the intersection at Warner Avenue. Bond said he was so

accustomed to making a right-handturn that he didn’t see the sign, which

he believes was too low to be noticed.

However, construction workers do post signs in accordance with Caltrans

regulations. Police double-check signs every morning to ensure they are

properly posted.

“Too many signs confuse people,” said City Manager Ray Kromer, who has

heard from residents who are unhappy with the traffic congestion.

Mayor Guy Carrozzo compared the street upgrading project to remodeling a

home. You have to deal with the mess, but once it’s finished it will be

better, he said.

“I hope people have patience, because when it’s done the traffic is going

to be better,” Kromer said.

Once finished, the $2.8-million Euclid Street Project should result in a

safe and efficient flow of traffic with more lanes, city officials said.

The traffic lights at the intersections will be upgraded with the

installation of left-turn arrows and signal timing.