Just When You Got Used to Delays at Ortega Highway and the I-5

Ever since Caltrans reduced the size of the bridge, navigating the Ortega Highway interchange at I-5 has been challenging but doable this past year; but things are about to get interesting.

Interesting = code word for possibly frustrating.

Starting Sept. 8 for two weeks, the northbound off-ramp will be closed, according to the Orange County Transportation Authority.

If you need to exit the freeway in San Juan Capistrano, you’ll need to choose Camino Capistrano or Junipero Serra Road and take the corresponding parallel roads.

But that’s just the beginning.

Starting Sept. 22 for six weeks, the southbound onramp at Ortega will be closed. To catch the freeway, you’ll need to travel to San Juan Creek Road or Junipero Serra.

Somewhere between mid- to late October, workers will close Ortega Highway between the southbound freeway ramps and Del Opispo. That closure is estimated to last three weeks.

When that work wraps up, access to Ortega Highway will be restricted, says OCTA, between Del Obispo and El Camino Real. Westbound traffic will not be allowed, but eastbound traffic will be able to get to Del Obispo.

PHOTO Courtesy the Orange County Transportation Authority.