Four dirt slopes along First Street are turning heads and oftentimes slowing traffic as cars move between Standard and Grand Avenue on most days in midtown Santa Ana.
The First Street Slope Stabilization Project, started in March 2023, and officials tell Voice of OC that the goal is to mitigate some of the negative impacts caused by the erosion of these slopes.
The project, costing over $5 million dollars, is increasing congestion for some pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters in Santa Ana.
“The goal of the project is to improve water quality and address stormwater pollution via the stabilization of the dirt slopes and installation of a stormwater treatment device,” said Paul Eakins, Santa Ana’s spokesperson.
It’s also behind schedule.
The project was initially slated to be completed in January of this year; however, is now anticipated to be completed in July due to additional changes during the construction process.
Eakins says these changes included widening the sidewalk by 18 inches to provide safer pedestrian access on First Street.
Currently, the two slopes on the south side of First Street are complete, with the northern slopes set to begin construction during the week of February 26. The northern slopes will share the same completed design as the finished southern slopes, Eakins said.
Funded by the federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), officials say the project also aims to enhance the aesthetics of First Street, which is a major gateway to Downtown Santa Ana from the I-5 freeway.
Santa Ana’s downtown area is also currently under construction to welcome the OC Street Car in August 2025.
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