THAT’S DEBATABLE:

At the Orange County Transportation Authority’s meeting last week, residents appeared to like the underground tunnel extending the 55 Freeway as the best solution to ease congestion where the highway ends. What do you think would be the best solution, and why?

Right now there are a lot of concerns from Eastside residents about traffic in their neighborhoods from the 55 Freeway. I want to try to resolve these concerns before I begin to think about supporting any of the proposed options. Concerns from other residents need to be addressed as well. We are at the very beginning stages in this effort, and it is too early to commit to one idea, in my opinion.

Wendy Leece

Costa Mesa Councilwoman

I am open to any solutions that will stop the cut-through traffic burdening the families who live in our east side residential neighborhoods.

Katrina Foley

Costa Mesa Councilwoman

This study, which was supported unanimously by the city council and OCTA, is at the very early stages, and we are still gathering public input. There are some benefits to that option, but we need to look at it and other options more closely to see what the impacts and costs are. That will come as the study progresses.

Where the 55 ends at 19th Street is the second-worst intersection in the county, so we have an obligation to make sure this study has a solid resolution and does not just end up shelved. It is important for council members and OCTA directors to hear public thoughts, and I encourage people to contact me if they have any concerns or suggestions. I can be reached at amansoor@ci.costa-mesa.ca.us.

Allan Mansoor

Costa Mesa Councilman

It appears that our residents have focused on an option that has significant possibilities for addressing the fundamental issues faced by our city at the terminus of the SR-55.

I agree with the public support for a SR-55 tunnel under Newport Boulevard for the following reasons:

1) Separates through-traffic and local traffic; reduces cut-through traffic; frees up our downtown, enabling better pedestrian access; and reduces noise.

The status quo, with the SR-55 ending abruptly at 19th street, forces this through-traffic into several signalized intersections, results in gridlock, creates a huge cut-through traffic problem, stymies local commerce, and creates a virtual automotive barrier between the east and west sides of our city. Estimates put the volume of “through traffic” at 50% or more of the traffic on Newport Boulevard, and traffic engineers have suggested that removing that through-traffic would return the Newport Boulevard corridor to a normally functioning street. The tunnel makes sense because it would allow the through-traffic to get through our downtown without affecting our local traffic. A free-flowing downtown commercial area would be more inviting, and the Eastside’s cut-through traffic problem would be drastically improved.

2) Eliminates: eminent domain disruptions, quality-of-life impacts, relocation costs.

The plan on the books at Caltrans, “The 1987 SR-55 master plan,” calls for bulldozing 80 homes and 45 businesses just east of Newport Boulevard. This approach will seriously affect the quality of life on our Eastside; will cost hundreds of millions of dollars just for land acquisition, and relocation of businesses and residents; and will also include typical onramps and offramps in our downtown area.

On the other hand, the tunnel has zero land-acquisition costs, zero eminent domain of businesses or residents, zero on/off ramps in downtown, and a much-improved quality of life for those suffering from cut-through traffic.

3) It’s also good for Newport Beach, improves commuters’ and visitors’ trip times to and from the Orange County coast.

Folks traveling among Newport Beach and other OC coastal destinations spend a lot of time at signals in our downtown. Getting them to and from Pacific Coast Highway and SR-55 in an efficient manner will also improve their quality of life while making our city that much nicer.

I would like to thank those who have taken the time to review the available options and have made their preferences known.

The tunnel looks like a good option. I will continue working to ensure that a sensible SR-55 terminus plan is adopted and to find funding for the planning and building of those improvements. Our residents’ quality of life and regional mobility both depend on a functional, cost-effective solution.

Eric Bever

Costa Mesa Mayor

[Did not respond]

Linda Dixon