19th Street Bridge meeting planned for Thursday

Huntington Beach Mayor Don Hansen and County Supervisor John Moorlach plan to host an open house Thursday about the proposed 19th Street Bridge.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Eader Elementary School, 9291 Banning Ave., in Huntington Beach.

An announcement on the Huntington Beach city website invites members of the public to “share your thoughts on the future of the 19th Street bridge area.”

The bridge would span the Santa Ana River between Banning Street in Huntington Beach and 19th Street in Costa Mesa.

A contentious proposal, the bridge has been discussed for more than 30 years. Environmentalists and some nearby residents have protested the idea in the past, while some officials and planners said it is needed to relieve the area’s traffic congestion.

— Mike Reicher

Twitter: @mreicher