There must be a gap in thinking about bridge

I couldn’t believe it when I saw that picture of Robert Graham in

your paper again and the subject of the 19th Street bridge becoming a

subject of controversy again. Didn’t the city of Costa Mesa, Newport

and Huntington Beach already (waste) spend enough money on this

subject?

For any one who doesn’t drive to the end of 19th Street, I would

like to let you know who lives here and would be directly affected by

a bridge or highway of any kind. Located at the end of 19th Street is

a community of town homes and condos that are considered a very small

part of Newport Beach. Newport Terrace is a wonderful small community

with beautiful sunsets and open spaces around us. If anyone wanted to

live in a neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of the city,

this would be an excellent place.

We do not need a bridge here. We do not need 19th Street to become

another Victoria.

Some comments sent in have stated that it would help the

businesses on 19th Street. How can cars driving 45 to 50 mph help the

Westside?

It currently takes me two minutes to get out of our neighborhood

and up the hill to Whittier Avenue. If the bridge were built, it

would take a lot longer. It takes five minutes to drive two miles on

19th Street to Newport Boulevard. And then it takes six minutes to

drive 1 1/2 miles from Newport to Irvine on 19th Street. That is 13

minutes to drive 3 1/2miles, hitting some signals. Now this time

might be shortened if there were no signals, stop signs, pedestrians,

jaywalkers or school children, and hitting all the green lights. And

depending on the time of day, it could take as long as three minutes

to go from Whittier Avenue to Monrovia Avenue because of the current

traffic.

Has anyone ever asked anyone living in Newport Terrace if we want

a bridge? Has anyone ever asked the parents walking their children to

the bus stops or Whittier school if they would like a bridge with

cars racing through this quiet Westside neighborhood? I think not.

Has anyone asked the homeowners along 19th Street, with and without

businesses, if they want a bridge and their homes torn down once the

bridge built so that 19th Street can be widened to accommodate the

increased traffic (similar to Victoria Street)? I think not.

A bridge would most definitely be a great welcome to the homeless

and other misfortunate. They would have a nice cozy dry shelter over

their heads when they are sleeping in the Talbert Marsh area. (A

problem that still continues today.)

How many of us have almost hit a person or a mother with her small

children jaywalking on 19th Street near Wallace Avenue? Building a

bridge is not an answer for 19th Street and its future. I can think

of several items that would benefit 19th Street, and it would not

require a bridge.

One last note about that extra large picture of Graham. Please do

not print it again. It’s very deceiving to anyone not living in this

area.

DEBI DIFRANCESCO

Newport Beach