By Jim Shilander
Members of the public, as well as city officials, received an update Wednesday morning on plans for the widening of Interstate 5 and the Avenida Pico interchange.
The first portions of the project, which could last until 2016, may begin construction later this year.
Representatives from OCTA heard concerns about the safety of bike paths, soundwalls and safety issues created by the construction. OCTA officials also noted that the I-5 work was “one piece in the overall puzzle,” of traffic in south Orange County. Projects such as the La Pata extension, and the extension of the 241 Toll Road, also were going to be important, if only to help relieve traffic caused by the construction on I-5.
City officials also provided an update on the status of the Avenida Vista Hermosa to Pico surface connection.
City Council member Jim Evert said the developer of the residential portion of Marblehead Coastal would need to complete some of the remaining infrastructure, including trails and parks, before construction could begin.
Assistant City Engineer Tom Bonigut stated that currently, he anticipated construction starting in early 2014, but said he expected the road to be completed by the time work began on the Pico interchange expansion.
