IRVINE – The city is ready to spend more than $116 million toward solving a problem that’s at the forefront of many residents’ minds: Traffic congestion.

According to a survey conducted by the city, about 60 percent of the respondents said traffic congestion is a “daily annoyance” or a “big problem.”

“It’s probably the No. 1 issue that faces our community today,” Councilwoman Christina Shea said during Monday’s meeting, where the council received updates from staff on traffic improvement projects.

More than half of the survey respondents blamed increasing population as the No. 1 cause of Irvine’s traffic congestion. Irvine also draws commuters and those who drive here for shopping and dining.

The City Council has directed staff to implement the following measures by no later than June 30, 2017:

• Protected/permissive left-turn phasing – where a green signal that permits cars to turn left as traffic allows is followed by an exclusive left-turn green arrow signal – at a minimum of six intersections.

• Work with the state government to improve signal timing around freeway ramps.

• Detect pedestrians and bicyclists by installing video systems instead of more traditional traffic detectors in the pavement.

• Reach agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority to add two new iShuttle commuter routes in the Irvine Business Complex and Spectrum.

The city also plans to spend $116.5 million on 17 traffic improvement projects, according to a staff report. Here are some of the major ones:

• The addition of a pedestrian bridge over Jamboree Road north of Michelson Drive is estimated to cost $20 million. The council is expected to vote on the project at the beginning of next year.

• Widening of University Drive near UC Irvine is estimated to cost $20.8 million. Construction is scheduled to be underway by the end of 2017.

• Widening of Jamboree Road between Main Street and Barranca Parkway is estimated to cost $20.4 million. Construction is scheduled to begin sometime in 2018.

Contact the writer: tshimura@scng.com