OCEAN PARK — Initial work has begun on the Ocean Park Boulevard “complete green street” project, which will transform a heavily-used section of the east-west thoroughfare with over 100 new trees, marked crosswalks with overhead flashing beacons and a system for collecting polluted storm water to keep it from running into the Santa Monica Bay.
City officials said the project, which will also include wider bike lanes and sidewalks and medians with more green space, is the result of many years of planning and collaboration between community members, City Hall and other stakeholders.
The project is budgeted for $4,448,438, with about $2.2 million coming from Measure V, the clean water parcel tax voters approved in 2006. The Measure V funds will be used for the urban runoff aspects of the project, city officials said in May of last year.
Currently the contractor is setting up and sending out public notices to residents and businesses in the project area, which stretches from Neilson Way to Lincoln Boulevard.
Actual construction is expected to begin in January and last roughly 12 months, city officials said. One lane of traffic will be kept moving in both directions at all times.
More information on the Ocean Park Boulevard “complete green street” project may be found online at www.SMConstructs.org/OPB. For questions about construction, call the construction manager Arcadis U.S., Inc. at (310) 857-4946.
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