Benefits and Study Process

Study Benefits

This study will evaluate those alternatives that best accommodate movement of cars, buses and pedestrians. The alternatives will balance the benefits of improved mobility with potential fiscal, and business and community impacts, to arrive at a recommendation that can be understood and accepted by the Newport-Costa Mesa community.

Study Process

This effort is a continuation of the 2008 SR-55 Access Study, which identified four alternatives for further study (No Build, TSM, Elevated Turn Lanes, and Cut and Cover). This effort will analyze these alternatives in greater depth and identify initial scope, schedule, and cost considerations for the next phase of the project development process – completion of an environmental document.

Based upon both technical analysis and public input, the study team will define the project’s purpose and need, conduct business surveys, examine traffic data, prepare cost estimates, and consider potential environmental impacts. Once this study is complete, it will serve as a precursor document to a full Project Report and Environmental Document.

At that point, the remaining alternatives are looked at in even greater detail along with a full environmental assessment and extensive public involvement program, resulting in selection of a locally preferred alternative. Currently, no funding has been identified for the next phase of study or for the ultimate project improvement selected. This current phase of study will allow the City of Costa Mesa and OCTA to move potential improvements through the planning process.

Throughout this effort, OCTA and its partner agencies will be working with project stakeholders to collect feedback about the alternatives. Stakeholder groups will be formed to facilitate public involvement and encourage dialogue, which will help inform the technical analysis. In addition, the project team will conduct interviews with major businesses to help understand how they may be affected by project alternatives.

Contact

To learn more about the SR-55/Newport Boulevard Improvement Study, visit www.octa.net/55study or contact Sarah Swensson, OCTA Senior Community Relations Specialist, at (714) 560-5376, sswensson@octa.net.