I-5/Ortega Project Update
by Larry Gilbert

On Jan. 10 I attended a public meeting on the I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project that was held at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. David Richardson, Caltrans Public Information Officer for the $86,214,000 project, presented a slideshow overview for the 200 residents and business owners that filled St. Margaret's Sillers Hall. Dave pointed out many challenges of this pending project such as having a small footprint to work with to accomplish this improvement.

Among the many questions he was asked, during 90 non-stop minutes, was the name of the General Contractor, which is Flat Iron. As of today they do not have a schedule from this vendor. Just to cite one challenge Dave pointed out that you cannot pour concrete or even stripe the freeway in this cold temperature. This improvement project, with construction scheduled to start on Feb 15, is estimated to take 550 working days. The proposed completion date is the spring of 2015.

As local residents questioned the impact of the project and their ability to get from the west to the east side of I-5 and the freeway, Dave responded that "not doing it is not an option." There was some discussion of only working on weekdays, which delays the completion date, further impacting local merchants. One resident asked if the contract with Flat Iron included liquidated damages if the project was not completed (or delayed).

In addition to temporary closures of surrounding streets for three to six weeks the current bridge will be replaced. The replacement bridge will be higher. While that work is under way the southern half will be taken down, the northern lanes will be re-striped and made into two-way traffic, which should be fun, and further delay the Ortega commute over I-5. Speaking of transportation, we were told that trucks longer than 40 feet, driving south on I-5, will not be permitted to make a left-hand turn onto the bridge while each half is being removed.

The head of the Swallow's Day parade was concerned that this construction start might interfere with their event.

We were told that as part of this improvement Caltrans had to take (under eminent domain powers) two Chevron stations, the Denny's and a Jack in the Box restaurant, all valid public uses.

When this project is completed, whenever that happens, it will be much easier to cross the bridge heading to Del Obispo as well as coming from Del Obispo to take I-5 North as the current traffic lights will be removed as you enter the new I-5 North on ramp.

One question that Dave could not answer related to the current LOS (Level of Service) ratings be it A through F traffic level and the projected level after 11,000 new homes are built just down Ortega Highway where the congestion may be as bad as it is today.

After his presentation I did introduce myself to Mr. Richardson and asked if our church, which lost some land for this expansion, could place "open for business" signage on their cyclone fence behind our facilities during the construction. Dave said it might be distracting to motorists and could possibly cause accidents. I then told him about the Kaleidoscope complex at the freeway and Crown Valley Parkway where the owners want to add humongous electronic billboards. Talk about concerns for public safety.

Caltrans held two additional meetings in San Juan on Jan. 12 where they provided the same information for those who could not attend on Jan. 10.