By Nestor CASTIGLIONE

Locals may have noted the hardhats busy at work on Ocean View Boulevard earlier this week. Connecting La Crescenta to Glendale and cutting a swath through the heart of Montrose, the key thoroughfare will be receiving an upgrade as part of the city’s Montrose Vision 20/20, a public renovation plan approved by the Glendale City Council last August. The plan was devised in order to attract more visitors to Montrose and improve the local infrastructure while maintaining the area’s uniqueness of character.

Public outreach conducted by the city on behalf of the plan met with the support of the Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA) and Sparr Heights Merchants Association (SHMA).

The repairs being done on Ocean View will consist of, among other things, the installation of curb ramps compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, pavement striping, bike lanes, improvement of traffic signaling and pavement resurfacing.

Excel Paving Company of Long Beach was awarded the contract to upgrade the street in open bidding held earlier this year. Its estimate for the cost of the work totaled approximately $1,375,000, with the city putting in an additional $206,231 in case of any unforeseen contingencies.

Once completed, the renovation of Ocean View Boulevard will achieve one of the stated goals of the Montrose Vision 20/20 plan: “Maintain an environment and associated infrastructure […] that encourages the safe use of public space by all pedestrians and vehicle traffic.”

According to a report submitted to the City Council last May, construction on Ocean View is expected to last through October of this year.

  Nestor CASTIGLIONE