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Council presses OCTA, orders priority fixes at Margie Rice Park and along I‑405 corridor
Summary
Council members pressed OCTA and staff to prioritize outstanding punch‑list work after a detailed briefing on the I‑405 improvements, ordering immediate action to finish landscaping, irrigation and sidewalk gaps beginning at Margie Rice Park.
The council received a detailed update on the Interstate‑405 improvement project and remaining punch‑list issues on March 26, including community concerns about incomplete park and streetscape work at Margie Rice Park and along Bolsa Chica and Newland streets.
Project in brief: City staff summarized a multi‑year Caltrans/OCTA design‑build project that replaced or widened 18 bridges, relocated utilities and added high‑occupancy toll lanes. The city highlighted several project “wins” it secured during negotiations, including protection of property owners, relocation of city water mains at the contractor’s cost and expanded park acreage at Margie Rice.
Outstanding problems: Residents and commissioners told council that some corridor sections appear unfinished and poorly maintained: Margie Rice Park landscaping and irrigation remains incomplete, a new bridge terminates at a dirt path with missing sidewalks on Newland, weeds and trash persist along the Navy Trail and some medians on Beach Boulevard need replanting. Several speakers said the work looks uneven compared with neighboring cities’ treatments and asked why Westminster’s side appears inferior in places.
Council direction and staff response: Council directed staff to press OCTA and the contractor to prioritize a short list of "quality‑of‑life" items and to obtain a reliable schedule. Public works staff reported crews would begin remaining work at Margie Rice Park on March 27 with an estimated 10‑day window to complete identified park punch‑list items; staff emphasized the city will continue to work with OCTA to secure funding and as‑built plans, and indicated the city may perform certain targeted repairs using negotiated OCTA funds if the contractor cannot finish promptly.
Next steps: Council directed staff to obtain precise as‑built plans, a clear schedule for outstanding bridges (including Bolsa Chica), and to return with an update. The council expressed strong expectations that OCTA deliver consistent corridor treatments and that Westminster’s portions be completed to the same standard as neighboring cities.
