By Lookout Staff

December 7, 2011 -- Santa Monica'a Ocean Park Boulevard is getting a green makeover that will include everything from new trees and irrigation systems to new traffic striping and crosswalk signals.

Begun this week, the "Complete Green Street" project will stretch along Ocean Park Boulevard from Nielson Way to Lincoln Boulevard.

The project will "result in a better performing, enhanced streetscape that is pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented, attractive, green, and prevents urban run-off from entering the Santa Monica Bay," City officials said.

The celebrate the project the city and the Ocean Park Association are hosting a small groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, December 12 at 10 a.m. on the Ocean Park Branch Library lawn, 2601 Main Street. Street parking is available on Main Street, but attendees are also encouraged to bike, walk or use the Big Blue Bus.

This project took years of planning and collaboration between community members, City staff, and other local stakeholders, "sparked by neighborhood interest in improving the streetscape," officials said.

"The end result will benefit of the Ocean Park neighborhood and the entire Santa Monica community as a model of sustainability, multi-modality and low-impact street design," officials said.

Construction will last just over a year, and one lane of traffic will be kept moving in both directions at all times, according to City officials.

Key Project Elements include:

• Wider sidewalks.

• Parkway/storm water biofilter swales and infiltration areas, and a drip irrigation system.

• More than 100 new trees, new landscaping, and medians.

• New marked crosswalks with enhanced overhead flashing beacons.

• More visible, painted bike lands and traffic striping, and new bike racks.

• Street furniture, trash and recycling cans, and 75 pedestrian-scaled light poles.

• Traffic signal improvements.

• Los Amigos Park storm drain improvements.

More information on the Ocean Park Boulevard "Complete Green Street" Project may be found online at www.SMConstrrg/OPB. For questions about construction, call the construction manager Arcadis U.S., Inc. at 310.857.4946.