Neighbor News
Traffic in Lake Forest - Real Solutions Part 2
CITY WATCH looks in detail at eliminating choke points on El Toro Rd.
This week we are focusing on what the City should be doing to correct the traffic problems. Last week we examined the overwhelming negative comments from residents at the recent City forums, the inadequacies in the traffic signal synchronization plans, and the limitations of the intersection tinkering plans.
Yesterday we looked at the streets closest to the 5 Freeway and we saw how minor changes with minimal expense and disruption could relieve traffic congestion at one of the worst spots in the City. Today we’ll continue this theme and look at Raymond Way, another of the many choke points along El Toro Rd.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
RAYMOND WAY - NORTH
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To the right and left of El Toro on Raymond Way, thousands of vehicles are required to enter and exit for access to their homes and/or to the Post Office and/or the Library. Not merely passenger vehicles, but mail trucks, garbage trucks, utility vehicles, etc. must enter and exit for access.
To the North of El Toro, on Raymond, past the Post Office, the street (Packer Place) is actually a through street, but there’s a stop in the middle (See the picture). The cost of returning this to a through street is minimal. This would allow a back way out of the area to link up with Cavanaugh Rd which is already a highly used street. While opening up Packer would increase the traffic on Cavanaugh, there are several turns off on Cavanaugh (McCoy Rd, Osprey St., Bunbury Dr) which would allow the traffic to dissipate quickly.
Alternately, or in addition, Packer Place could be extended to the East by allowing it to flow into Jutewood, again at minimal cost and with no homes in jeopardy.
Needless to say, residents in these neighborhoods would have to be consulted.
JUTEWOOD PLACE
If Jutewood Place was connected to Packer Place, and Packer Place connected to Cavanaugh, an entire short cut could be created for people who live in the Jutewood area and want to go North. All of this could be done with minimal disruption and cost.
Tomorrow we’ll look at Raymond Way South.
