$1.6M street improvement project set to begin January

Costa Mesa officials are moving forward with plans to improve Orange Avenue and Bear Street.

The improvements will include new access ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the reconstruction of pavement, and the removal and renovation of damaged curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveways.

Senior Engineer Fariba Fazeli said city staff will take measures to lessen the impact on local traffic, including rerouting drivers and carrying out construction during off-peak hours.

The $1.6 million project, which will rehabilitate Orange Avenue from East 17th Street to East 18th Street and Bear Street from Bristol to Baker Streets, will begin in January. The venture is scheduled for completion around July 2009. The project will be designed by Civil Source, an Irvine-based engineering firm.

— Chris Caesar