OCTA extends contracts to complete new bridge...

OCTA extends contracts to complete new bridge

The Orange County Transportation Authority approved contract

extensions Monday to two companies involved in the construction of

the bridge that will connect the San Diego and Costa Mesa freeways.

Construction, which began on Feb. 1, was scheduled to be completed

on Nov. 2 but unforeseen conditions and issues pushed the finish date

to May, transportation authority spokesman Michael Litschi said. .

A Federal Transit Authority grant and Measure M funds have

partially funded the construction, and the contract extensions will

allot more than $1.3 million to cover the additional costs of the

project.

Under the new contract provisions, Caltrans will be awarded

$645,000 for construction, $30,000 will go to the public relations

firm Porter Novelli and $690,000 will go to CALTROP Engineering Corp.

for inspection during construction.

Winter programs set

at the nature center

The Environmental Nature Center will hold two events in December

for students between kindergarten and fourth grade.

Winter Workshops will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Dec. 20 to

24. Children will be able to create handmade wreaths, gift boxes and

picture frames from materials like clay or paint.

The “Survivors” program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Dec.

27 to 31. Children will see what it’s like to live on what nature .

Programs cost $175 to attend both and Environmental Nature Center

Members will receive a 10% discount. For more information, call (949)

645-8489.

Mary Bigelow honored with December award

Mayor Gary Monahan has announced Mary Bigelow as the December 2004

recipient of the Mayor’s Award Program. Bigelow will be recognized

for her courage in the face of intimidating circumstances and for

taking the initiative to help a police officer. On July 28, Bigelow

witnessed a cyclist strike Officer Jinna Johnson on Placentia Avenue.

Prior to receiving a traffic citation, the cyclist became physically

hostile and attacked Johnson, wrestling her to the ground. Bigelow,

seeing the incident, helped Johnson regain control of the cyclist

before other policemen arrived.

Bigelow will be honored at the Dec. 6 City Council meeting. The

award presentation will take place in the council chambers at Costa

Mesa City Hall at 6:30 p.m.