What is the Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project?

Ortega Highway, was constructed in the 1930's for recreational purposes, primarily to provide access to beaches in Orange County, Lake Elsinore, and various recreational areas in the Cleveland National Forest. Ortega Highway is a two-lane mountainous road with curves and steep slopes, and runs parallel to San Juan Creek. In the early 1930s, Ortega Highway carried about 200 vehicles per day. Today, with the growth of urban centers, it carries an increasing number of commuters and truck traffic averaging 10,000 vehicles per day.

Project Goal

• To improve roadway safety
• To improve highway drainage

Project Area

Caltrans Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project will take place on a three-mile section from San Juan Hot Springs and the Orange County line. This stretch of road has a section of narrow lanes, limited turn-out areas and high accident rates.

Project Features

• Adding 4-foot shoulders to each side of the Highway
• Adding safety enhancements to reduce road closures due to rock slides
• Place rumble strips in the median
• Improving motorists sight distances by removing protruding rock walls
• Widening the existing 10-foot lanes to standard 12-foot lanes
• Improving drainage facilities into San Juan Creek
• Improve turnouts and add two new turnouts, one in each direction

Status

Construction is expected to begin in February 2007 and is anticipated to last 3 years.

Funding Source

Project is funded by the State Highway Operation Protection Program. Construction cost is $40 million.

Project Partners

• Federal Highway Administration
• United States Forest Service
• California Highway Patrol

Why is this project necessary?

Safety is Caltrans number one priority. The goal is to reduce accidents and to save lives.
The project will improve sight distance, and provide more room for motorists to safely maneuver within the project area.

What will happen to traffic during construction?

Full closures will take place during nighttime hours only (8:30 PM to 4:30 AM). Priority will be given to westbound morning commute traffic and eastbound evening commute traffic. During the day, flagging operations will be in place. Commuters should expect delays.

More Details

For a map describing the location of the project, click-here (.pdf).

During nighttime closure hours, you will need evidence of residence to be allowed to pass.  Rancho Carrillo vehicle stickers provide this evidence.  Stickers may be obtained from Nancy Streza.

Portions of this notice obtained from the official Caltrans flyer and Caltrans radio notice (AM 1620 - San Juan Capistrano).