County Going a Few Bridges Too Far?

I was pleased to read “Residents Challenge Proposal for Bridges (Sept. 18).” The core of this issue goes beyond plans for a few bridges that may not be built for another 10 or 20 years. The key issue is county government’s right to force local cities to accept plans which will negatively impact local communities and environmentally sensitive areas. A secondary issue is due process with respect to citizens’ rights to ask questions and provide comment in a public forum.

The city of Costa Mesa agreed to embark on an objective cooperative study with the Orange County Environmental Management Agency and the cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley to determine the need for two bridges across the Santa Ana River.

The results of the study suggest that regional traffic impacts will be negligible if these bridges are not built. Alternative traffic solutions can be implemented to offset the need for these bridges. The county’s study justifies Costa Mesa’s desire to eliminate these bridges from the county’s master plan for arterial highways.

Orange County officials are promoting their study to justify the county’s predetermined desire to build these bridges. At a public presentation by the county in Costa Mesa on Sept. 16, the county wanted to restrict public questions and comment.

The technical findings of the county’s study support a decision by the County Board of Supervisors to eliminate these proposed bridges from the county’s master plan for arterial highways. Concerned citizens will be out in force to make sure that county officials portray the study’s findings in a fair and technically correct manner and that due-process rights are recognized.

ROBERT D. HOFFMAN

Costa Mesa