Ortega Highway Construction

The 3 year nightmare.

What is the Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project?

Ortega Highway, was constructed in the 1930's for recreational purposes, primarily to provide access to beaches
in Orange County, Lake Elsinore, and various recreational areas in the Cleveland National Forest. Ortega
Highway is a two-lane mountainous road with curves and steep slopes, and runs parallel to San Juan Creek. In
the early 1930s, Ortega Highway carried about 200 vehicles per day. Today, with the growth of urban centers, it
carries an increasing number of commuters and truck traffic averaging10,000 vehicles per day.

Project Goal:

• To improve roadway safety and highway drainage

Project Area:

Improved Sight Visibility
Caltrans Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project will take place on a three-mile section from San Juan Hot
Springs and the Orange County line. This stretch of road has a section of narrow lanes, limited turn-out areas and high accident rates.

Project Features

• Adding 4-foot shoulders to each side of the Highway
• Adding safety enhancements to reduce road closures due to rock slides
• Place rumble strips in the median
• Improving motorists sight distances by removing protruding rock walls
• Widening the existing 10-foot lanes to standard 12-foot lanes
• Improving drainage facilities into San Juan Creek
• Improve turnouts and add two new turnouts, one in each direction

Status:

Construction is expected to begin in February 2007 and is anticipated to last 3 years.

Funding Source:

Project is funded by the State Highway Operation Protection Program. Construction cost is $40 million.

Project Partners:

Federal Highway Administration, United States Forest Service and California Highway Patrol

Why is this project necessary?

Safety is Caltrans number one priority. The goal is to reduce accidents and to save lives. The project will
improve sight distance, and provide more room for motorists to safely maneuver within the project area.

What will happen to traffic during construction?

Full closures will take place during nighttime hours of 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Ortega Highway will be reduced
to one lane for the duration of the project within the project area. During the day, flagging operations will
be in place and priority will be given to westbound morning commute traffic and eastbound evening
commute traffic. Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes.
The Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project will target a three-mile section between San Juan Hot
Springs and the Orange County line.

Public Outreach:

Caltrans has a comprehensive public outreach planned to keep motorists, residents, businesses and
elected officials informed about this project. Community Open Houses will be scheduled in February for
both Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano. In addition, briefings and speaking engagements are
available to provide interested groups with schedules, traffic management efforts and updates on
construction activities.

Contact Information:

Department of Transportation, District 12
3337 Michelson Drive, Suite 380, Irvine, CA 92612-8894
PHONE (949) 724-2000 FAX (949) 724-2030
For more information about the project scope of work, please contact the toll free Orange County
Transportation Helpline at (800) 724-0353 or log onto the caltrans website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist12

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Ortega
• 74
• SR74
• road
• construction
• orange
• county
• riverside
• lake
• elsinore
• commute

[socalmoney]

Well it's all over. All construction is done. Not sure how much safer this road is. Most people can now travel about 65-70MPH through the section that was made wider. I guess they are all making up for lost time. Be safe people!

[socalmoney]

I saw that there was a picture of one of the female flaggers that said R.I.P. with flowers next to it today. Anyone know what happened to her?

[socalmoney]

I was told that the flagger in the above post was killed in a motorcycle accident riding in another mountain range. Sad news.

[chucksteak33]

ya i think she was killed in a charity motorcycle ride up north

[Deepsky1A1B]

That green dump truck at 3:45 is Dalton

#233 without the trailer driven by Paul C.

now retired.

[MTB710]

Those are some sexy mountains.

[the0ckid82]

haha gio ... june 19th is when paul gets his license back .. so thats when you can see us riding again ... and well actually go the same speed as you since we have to be good .. we can always count on you to go slow .. haha

[giovannip]

The flaggers on this project are awesome been doing a great job out there.

[giovannip]

I have seen you red mohawk guy. Lol .... When we gonna ride OCK ? I'm another who commutes it on a bike everyday for years.

[funcploc]

No reason why you should have to sit and wait in the conga line, LOL I dont begrudge ya. Just wish the twits that R 2 stupid to Pull over would figure, " SLOWER traffic use turn outs" applies to them. Driving, 2 slow is just as dangerous as those driving like speed racer but dont know what they are doing!People- dont drive Ortega if your 2 scared 2 do the speed posted!! Anyway-Ride safe and if you see me waive, 2004 black malibu. Meanie Redhead.