Crown Valley PORKway, Then and Now

On March 20, 2006, OC Register reporter Erika Ritchie wrote an article titled “A Mission Viejo project would add lanes to a stretch of Crown Valley Parkway.” It can be found at http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/homepage/article_1060569.php

Ritchie writes, “A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Friday [March 24, 2006], and construction could start next week. The project should be completed by fall 2007.”

As residents know, city hall now says the completion date will be in May 2009 (unless the sky clouds up for one day, providing an excuse for another extended delay). Or the lone workman who has occasionally been seen on the job might call in sick, stopping construction altogether.

Wasn’t this the project where Roger Faubel got a $100,000 PR contract to post signs along the road, informing motorists who were already stopped in traffic that they should expect slowdowns? Those who attended the groundbreaking ceremony in 2006 said VIPs stuck gold-painted shovels into the ground and then made their way to the trough to enjoy a taxpayer-funded lunch under a canopy.

Even back in 2006, there were signs of trouble, e.g., a city administrator’s quote:

“Crown Valley has become a regional street,” said Keith Rattay, director of public services. “Since it’s more of a vehicular-oriented street, a dramatic impact of landscaping will soften the overall effect.”

Say what? He apparently doesn’t realize Crown Valley Parkway is supposed to be a major traffic artery. No wonder traffic is stopped: city hall thinks drivers don’t mind sitting in traffic as long as they’re enjoying the view. Lanes were blocked off soon after the groundbreaking, but not for any apparent reason. Back then and to this day, drivers’ primary observation has been the lack of progress with no one working on the road.

Rattay envisions “a dramatic impact of landscaping will soften the overall effect.” Drivers who have head-ons with palm trees and pillars placed dangerously close to lanes of traffic might disagree about the proclaimed softness.

Here’s another gem from the article: “It’s going to be a significant improvement in congestion. It will increase capacity,” said Mark Chagnon, project manager.

As the reality of capacity, the widened road with all lanes open (if that should ever happen) doesn’t meet current needs. The road cannot begin to accommodate future growth to the east, which will occur as soon as the housing market recovers.

While the road crew is making little progress, city staffers are regaling themselves by over-planting the medians and roadsides, closing traffic lanes to install trees. The city says 400 trees are being added, including 50 or more mature palm trees (estimated at $10,000 each, installed). Crown Valley Porkway is to become an irrigated oasis in a parched state where residents are told to conserve water.

The article describes 30-foot-high “pilasters,” [they’re pillars] which create “gateways” to the city. This should give insight to all readers who have wondering what the *&%$ the city staff is doing.

In the article, a hospital administrator (who is now Ury’s planning commissioner) was quoted, “The widening will improve flow, especially for lifesaving services.”

Just wondering, have any “lifesaving services” been adversely impact by stopped traffic, now into its fourth year because of failed project management?