O.C. to welcome drivers at a spruced-up gateway

Surviving in the shadow of its big brother to the north, Orange County has had its share of self-esteem issues. But an ongoing widening project on the Santa Ana Freeway has transportation planners thumping their chests with pride.

The freeway -- a virtual Main Street of Southern California -- is being widened and improved on the Orange County side of the county line.

When the project is finished in 2010, the ride will become a brake-tapping experience for motorists when they hit the unimproved section in Los Angeles County.

Now county planners are thinking of doing a bit of bragging to southbound motorists at the county line by putting out a $175,000 welcome mat.

Think orange trees and swaying palms, and a sign saying “Orange County,” a clear signal to travelers that life for commuters is a bit more relaxed this side of the Orange Curtain.

“I think it’s important because it is the gateway from Los Angeles County into Orange,” said Art Brown, Buena Park’s mayor and chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

The site at Artesia Boulevard in Buena Park has for years been an eyesore because of poor freeway maintenance, Brown said. “The city has had a long battle with Caltrans to enhance the landscaping, and finally we get to put up something nice that we fought for.”

The $314-million widening project began in June. It will expand the freeway from three to five lanes in each direction along a two-mile stretch in Buena Park -- 10 years before a similar widening of the freeway is expected to be finished in Los Angeles County.

Originally, the freeway sign was to be an austere concrete monument with only the words “Orange County.” Caltrans has sign restrictions to prevent distractions.

The sign will stay simple. But on Monday, the OCTA board approved a concept that enhances landscaping around the monument to include a lawn, a dozen orange trees and some palm trees.

If the concept is approved, both by OCTA and Caltrans, the cost for design and planning would be $35,000, and construction would cost $140,000. The O.C. transit agency would pay at least $15,000 a year for maintenance.

Charles Guess, OCTA program manager, said he would meet with Caltrans officials to go over the sign’s design features.

Supervisor Chris Norby, an OCTA board member, says it would be money well spent. He cited the neon Las Vegas welcome sign, which has become an icon of municipal signage.

“People enjoy and appreciate markers on the freeway,” Norby said. “They also help break up the monotony.”

“If it’s tastefully done, people will understand and appreciate the aesthetics of putting up something like this,” Norby said. “They just don’t like spending money to put up something ugly. But this will be given a nice treatment.”

In other business, Art Leahy, OCTA’s chief executive, was given a 6% pay raise and one-time 3% bonus after receiving an excellent performance review. Leahy’s annual salary is now $230,336.

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david.reyes@latimes.com