HomeMy WebLinkAbout87-63 - Newport Boulevard & Widening Channel Bridge0
RESOLUTION NO. 87 — 65
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
SUPPORTING THE CURRENT STIP PROJECT ADDING AN OUTBOUND LANE TO
NEWPORT BOULEVARD AND WIDENING THE EXISTING CHANNEL BRIDGE AT ITS
PRESENT GRADE; AND TERMINATING FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF A HIGHER
BRIDGE.
WHEREAS, northbound Newport Boulevard carries heavy traffic volumes and is
severely congested for much of the year; and
WHEREAS, the addition of a third northbound lane to Newport Boulevard from
32nd Street to and including the Newport Channel Bridge will substantially
increase roadway capacity and relieve congestion; and
WHEREAS, it will be desirable to construct the additional lane and bridge
widening as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, a project is currently programmed in the State Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP) to construct the additional lane and widen the
existing bridge at the current grade; and
WHEREAS, waterfront property owners westerly of the bridge have requested
that the bridge be raised at the same time it is widened; and
WHEREAS, there is no funding currently programmed for the additional costs
of a new higher bridge project; and
WHEREAS, the City has thoroughly investigated the probability of funding
a new, higher bridge and determined that additional State funding is not likely
for the foreseeable future; and
WHEREAS, additional funding for a higher bridge of some $4,855,000 would
have to be locally generated, and much of this amount would have to be supplied
from the City's General Fund if a higher bridge is pursued; and
0 WHEREAS, there are many high priority needs competing for both State and
local transportation funds; and
WHEREAS, a project for a new, higher bridge could entail delays of at least
3 to 7 years beyond the currently programmed STIP project; and
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WHEREAS, the City has duly considered the potential advantages of a new,
higher bridge; consisting of improved navigational clearances, reduced future
maintenance, and improved esthetics; and
WHEREAS, the City has duly considered the disadvantages of a project for a
new, higher bridge; consisting of inability to fund the additional costs within
• a practicable time frame, and unacceptable delays in the ability to provide
additional traffic capacity and related traffic safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City has concluded that the disadvantages considerably outweigh
the potential advantages; and
WHEREAS, the City has given a full and fair hearing over a period of some
3 years to the proposal for a higher bridge„
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach supports the programmed STIP project to add an outbound lane to Newport
Boulevard, with the existing Channel Bridge to be widened at its present grade;
and terminates further consideration of a new, higher bridge.
ADOPTED this 11th day of
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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