New look for Corona del Mar’s southbound entry is almost finished

Corona del Mar’s revamped entryway at MacArthur Boulevard and East Coast Highway is nearly complete.

The idea behind the project, which was first discussed more than a decade ago, is to enhance the southbound entry point to Corona del Mar to improve pedestrian access and provide a way for motorists to know they’ve entered the community, said Newport Beach Public Works Director Dave Webb.

The project includes widening the sidewalk to replace a parking area along East Coast Highway and adding landscaping such as palm trees and other plants between Begonia and Carnation avenues.

Crews are expected to wrap up the work by mid-May, Webb said.

“The idea has been to take some of the nontravel lane area and expand the walkway to add decorative components,” Webb said. “It was previously a lot of asphalt and concrete, and this will soften up the entry.”

The City Council approved a $497,497 contract for All-American Asphalt to began working on the project in January. Early plans included removing the third traffic lane that merges into two lanes on East Coast Highway near Carnation Avenue. However, many residents strongly disliked the plan, so city staff scrapped it and proposed removing eight parking spaces along East Coast Highway instead.

Five of the spaces will be relocated to Carnation, which the city elected to make a one-way street between East Coast Highway and Fourth Avenue in an effort to fit in the parking spaces, city officials said.

The city has been working on the plans for years with the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District and the area’s residents association.

Councilman Scott Peotter, who represents Corona del Mar, said the changes not only will improve pedestrian access to the businesses along East Coast Highway but also will give the southbound entry a distinction from other areas of Newport.

“We’ve had that from the north, but not from the south,” Peotter said. “I’m looking forward to seeing it completed.”