Air show in Huntington Beach took some FAA planning to ensure safety
Q. When the jets from the Huntington Beach air show performed their routines this past weekend, they were flying in the landing paths for John Wayne Airport during the show. What happened to the commercial jet traffic that would normally be flying in the area during the air show programs? Did the airports stop traffic? Did they re-route the traffic?
– Jim Fuchs, Costa Mesa
A. Honk reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration and was told air-traffic controllers worked with the jets coming in for the Pacific Airshow – which was over the water off of the Huntington Beach coast. Also, temporary flight restrictions were put in place.
Some arriving commercial flights into John Wayne, over the 405 Freeway, were slowed down a bit to accommodate the incoming air show jets – that was done so the airport didn’t become overwhelmed, a FAA official said.
And some John Wayne departures over the ocean were indeed re-routed, flying a slightly longer, different path to avoid the air show.
Q. The new Bushard Street bridge over the 405 Freeway was finished awhile ago. Now they have closed the two outer lanes and are doing repairs. What happened to the bridge and what are they fixing?
– Steve Barnes, Santa Ana
A. The bridge was the recipient of a new manhole, Steve, so if needed workers can get to a water line that runs through the bridge.
And other stuff required some attention leading to the closure.
While overseeing the $2.2 billion widening and improvement of the 405, the Orange County Transportation Authority’s “priority throughout construction has been to open the bridges to traffic as soon as possible to minimize impacts to drivers and the surrounding community, with the expectation that some additional minor work may be needed,” Megan Abba, an OCTA spokesperson, told Honk in an email.
“And that’s what the Honk reader is referring to on Bushard Street,” she said. “The recent closures were necessary to allow crews to install an additional manhole on the bridge. That installation, along with work to ensure that the sidewalks and curb meet all state-design requirements, was recently completed and the lanes have reopened.”
The 405’s new lanes are scheduled to open by year’s end.
But the strategy deployed on the Bushard bridge will again be in play.
“Drivers may notice crews working on the final touches throughout the project area through spring 2024,” Abba said. “That work includes landscaping and installing lighting on the bridges.”
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk