TWO NEW BIKEWAYS, along with landscaping and other improvements, are coming to northwest Westminster (Luka Siemionov/Pexels)

Outdoor recreation and local history will be sprouting on local streets as the Westminster City Council on Wednesday approved engineering design contracts on two projects bringing bikeways and heritage to an northwest area of the city.

The council voted 5-0 to award two contracts to Mark Thomas for the Mendez Historic Trail and Green Street Bikeway ($386,697) and the Garden Grove Complete Street Project ($365,704).

In Mendez project, intended in part to commemorate the historic school integration court case of Mendez v. Westminster, a two-way “protected bikeway” will be constructed along the west side of Hoover Street between Garden Grove Boulevard and Bolsa Avenue. It will use a raised median along the west side of Hoover to create a physical separation between bicyclists and motor vehicles.

The revamp of Hoover will reduce the street from two lanes in each direction to one, and will include a two-way left turn lane. Construction of the bikeway is expected to be in early 2020.

Complementing the Hoover project will be the Garden Grove Boulevard project, which will create a protected bikeway on the north side of the street between the San Diego/Garden Grove freeway ramps to the west and Edwards Street.

Additionally, Edwards Street will be redesigned between Garden Grove Boulevard and Trask Avenue, and Trask between Edwards and Hoover.

Eliminated will be one lane eastbound on Garden Grove Boulevard, one lane in each direction on Edwards Street and one lane in each direction on Trask Avenue.

Funding for the projects comes primarily from state grants. Other improvements such as landscaping and pavement repair and replacement are planned.

The next meeting of the council will be on Tuesday, Jan. 29.