Caltrans Deal Would Repay Traffic Expenses

Hoping to ensure that Placentia recoups the cost of providing traffic control on local streets during construction on the Orange and Riverside freeways, the City Council tonight will consider an agreement with Caltrans.

Public Works director Christopher Becker said the pact calls for reimbursing the city if police officers are required to control traffic during the freeway construction, expected to begin in January.

Because of the construction, Becker police officers may have to direct traffic occasionally and set up barricades and detours.

“If we have to send officers out, we’ll get our money back,” Becker said. “It’s a safeguard put in place in case something comes up.”

Construction will begin next month on the carpool lanes through the interchange of the Orange and Riverside freeways, Becker said. The new lanes will allow motorists to transfer from one freeway to the other without leaving the carpool lanes.

The project also is to include removing and replacing the existing bridges over the freeways on Placentia Avenue, Miraloma Avenue and La Jolla Street as well as widening the Orange Freeway bridge over Orangethorpe Avenue.

Tonight’s meeting will also include selection of a new mayor and the swearing in of newly elected council members Michael L. Maertzweiler, Maria Moreno and Constance Underhill and new City Treasurer Carolyn H. Davis.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 401 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 993-8231.