South County Traffic Relief Outreach Underway

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —No one loves sitting in traffic on the I-5, but an answer to South Orange County traffic is elusive, at best. The minds at CalTrans and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency have developed multiple plans they want residents to weigh in on. Now, south OC has until Dec. 9 to weigh in on these proposed traffic improvements in a series of open house public scoping meetings scheduled for late November and early December.

It all starts with an environmental report and impact assessment.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) are preparing that impact report that will affect the cities of Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Coto De Caza, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and unincorporated south county.

"Demand exceeds capacity on the I-5 during peak commuting hours and on weekends," CalTrans says in their report. "Lack of sufficient north-south regional mobility impairs evacuations in case of emergencies such as wildfires, storms and major disasters."

The purpose and fundamental objective of the proposed project is to improve north-south regional mobility in South Orange County and accommodate regional travel demand.

The public scoping comment period is already underway, from November 8, 2019 to December 9, 2019, the group reported.

"Your comments will become part of the public record and will be considered in developing the environmental document and defining the project scope," a spokesperson for SCTRE said.

These meetings will be held in an Open House format. No formal presentation will be given, and attendees can arrive at any time. There will be materials to review and personnel on hand to answer questions.

The proposed improvements include:

• the extension of the tolled State Route (SR) 241 lanes to Interstate (I) 5,
• the extension of Crown Valley Parkway to SR 241,
• new connections between Ortega Highway, Antonio Parkway, Avery Parkway, and SR-73,
• new general-purpose lanes on I-5,
• new managed lanes on I-5,
• or combinations of these preliminary alternatives.

All of the improvements range between approximately 4 and 22 miles in length.

The study area encompasses 10 cities and unincorporated areas in Orange County and San Diego County adjacent to the proposed improvements. The study will examine the impact of the improvements on the environment and includes analyses of ways to reduce or avoid possible adverse environmental impacts.

Residents who attend the Public Scoping Meetings will have the opportunity to learn about the project and to provide comments or concerns.

"Your comments will become part of the public record and will be considered in developing the environmental document and defining the project scope," a CalTrans spokesperson said in release. "We want to hear your thoughts and welcome your participation."

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center
24932 Veterans Way
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Nearby transit: OCTA Routes 86 and 182

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
Nearby transit: OCTA Routes 1 and 90

Learn more and connect with us by visiting the project website at http://www.SCTRE.org.