Traffic Alert: Los Trancos Canyon Erosion Control Project Slows Newport Coast Traffic

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — If you saw an Orange County Helicopter in the area of Newport Coast Road, the Newport Beach Police Department advised that erosion control measures were the reason.

The Hydromulching and Reseeding project will address a 5-acre landslide area within the Los Trancos section of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

The use of a Bell helicopter, hydromulch mixing truck, support vehicle and trailer, as well as a hydromulch spreader bucket will take place during this operation.

The Newport Beach Police Department officials announced a traffic advisory on Newport Coast Drive between Coast Highway and San Joaquin Hills Road, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Traffic will be reduced to one lane for northbound traffic on Newport Coast Drive," they said.

The helicopter will be working along the Los Trancos section of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, officials said, Thursday.

"This area is east of Newport Coast Drive and south of Pelican Hill Road and Ocean Ridge Drive," Newport Beach Police Department information officer Jennifer Manzella said. "Traffic may be delayed intermittently for the helicopter operation."

Arial Hydromulching, or hydroseeding, is a planting process that involves spraying a mix of seed and mulch over areas and assist with reducing erosion. It also will encourage native plant restoration within the landslide area, and is used often in erosion control, according to the OC Parks website.

That work will begin at approximately 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. according to police.