A rendering of how Pine and 1st will look following completion of the improvement project.
The Pine Avenue Improvement Project (PAIP) construction has begun with tree removals along the historic corridor and will run nightly through July 15.
Between 4th and 7th Streets, crews from All-American Asphalt and City Light & Power will work from 9:30PM to 6AM, where removed trees will then be escorted to a location away from residences to be ground down. The construction phase would have otherwise been conducted during the day were the entire closing of Pine not needed to complete the project.
The tree removal marks one of the many parts of the PAIP.
The original RDA streetscape improvement plan began in 2009 with public meetings, culminating in a four-phase project: 1st St from Long Beach Blvd to Pacific Ave; Pine Ave from 1st St to 8th St; Pine Ave from Shoreline Dr to Ocean Blvd; and a three-street final phase that included 3rd Street and Broadway from Long Beach Blvd to Pacific Ave as well as a small stretch of 1st St from Linden Ave to Long Beach Blvd.
However, due to the RDA’s dissolution, the more grand streetscaping designs were exchanged for a less expensive streetscape. The new improvement development will be broken down into three sections: Seaside Way to Ocean Blvd; Ocean Blvd to 7th St; 7th St to Anaheim St.
Ultimately, Pine will see: three scramble crosswalks a la Tokyo at 1st, 4th, and 5th Streets; the raised planters that take up awkward space will be removed; new bike racks will be installed; bollards will be installed on Broadway and 3rd. The stretch north of 7th will see brand new and much-needed lighting, along with new street furniture, additional trees, bollards, and an entire street resurfacing.
Additionally, the project will include sidewalk repair, refurbished traffic signals, and new trash cans.