Mayor's Message: Construction, Construction Everywhere

A number of projects are underway or on tap in San Juan Capistrano that will help ease traffic congestion; improve roadway pavement and make railroad crossings safer, and less noisy.

While the projects will ultimately lessen traffic congestion and improve city streets, the construction will have an impact on traffic flow.

So, I am providing a project summary to help you plan your trips accordingly.

RAILROAD QUIET ZONES

Construction continues on safety improvements that will eliminate the requirement that trains sound their horns at San Juan Capistrano’s five railroad crossings.

The work, expected to be finished by the end of September, continues with daytime lane closures at the Del Obispo Street, La Zanja Street
and Oso Road crossings. Quiet zones are expected to be established in as early as January 2012.

RANCHO VIEJO ROAD AND JUNIPERO SERRA ROAD

Two travel lanes are being added to Junipero Serra between the 5 freeway and Rancho Viejo Road; a separate eastbound right turn lane onto Rancho Viejo Road; and an additional westbound right turn lane onto the freeway's northbound on-ramp. There will also be an additional southbound right turn lane and an additional northbound left turn lane.

Lane closures on southbound Rancho Viejo Road and Junipero Serra Road are in place, with the work slated for completion by the end of the month.

CAMINO CAPISTRANO AND 5 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND RAMPS

This Caltrans project includes permanent lane closures of the 5 southbound on and off-ramp; a bike trail closure under the freeway; and alternating full night-time closures on San Juan Creek Road and the 5 freeway ramps.

Left-turn lane on the southbound off-ramp and an additional southbound lane on Camino Capistrano will be added.

Project construction is expected to take two years, but the traffic impacts will not be felt that long.

WHISPERING HILLS SEWER PROJECT

Daytime lane closures and possible flagging on Camino Lacouague are expected for the next 2-3 weeks, which will be followed by lane closures on San Juan Creek Road from Ambuehl School to Camino Lacouague.

The project should be finished by Sept. 1.

DEL OBISPO STREET WIDENING

Construction started July 11 and forced the closure of the north side of the sidewalk and the bike trail under the bridge along Trabuco Creek.

The project, which will take about 10 months to complete, will include widening Del Obispo Street between Paseo Adelanto and Alipaz Street to accommodate the four undivided travel lanes (two eastbound lanes and two westbound lanes), back-to-back left turn pockets for Paseo Adelanto and Alipaz Street, and an additional left turn lane for Alipaz Street, along with bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the street.

The project also includes improvements at the intersections of Del Obispo Street and Alipaz Street and Del Obispo Street and Paseo Adelanto.

DEL OBISPO STREET AND PASEO ADELANTO

Work that interferes with traffic flow and blocks lanes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work on Saturdays, if any, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other work off of the street could take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DEL OBISPO STREET AND CAMINO DEL AVION

The eastbound curb lane on Camino Del Avion west of Del Obispo Street is closed to build an additional eastbound travel lane. This developer-funded project is expected to be finished by the end of September.

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT

This project includes street work on Rancho Viejo Road from Ortega Highway to Junipero Serra as well as a portion of Camino La Ronda.

The project is expected to start sometime in August and will require
daytime lane closures.

SAN JUAN CREEK ROAD UTILITY PROJECT 

A construction project to extend the current San Juan Creek Road sewer, domestic water and recycled water utilities to the East Open Space parcel the City acquired last year is expected to be finished in two months.