Lake Forest details $36 million capital improvement program, cites 31 completed projects and multiple upcoming jobs

Naz Mokaram, principal civil engineer for the City of Lake Forest, told the Community Services Commission on Feb. 5 that the city’s capital improvement program (CIP) currently includes 70 projects with a total budget of $36,000,000.

The update highlighted recent completions, projects now under construction and design- or procurement-stage work the city expects to advertise and award in coming months. “As you’ve seen before, a total of 70 CIP projects are currently budgeted and planned for improving the beautiful city of Lake Forest with a total budget of 36,000,000,” Mokaram said.

The presentation listed several projects completed since the last update: the arterial slurry seal on Jeronimo and Muirlands (construction contract awarded in July; work started in September; notice of completion approved by council in January); a rock‑fill median on Lake Forest Drive that replaced delineators (contract awarded in July; NOC approved in January); and substantial completion on Trabuco Trail rehabilitation and Trabuco Road resurfacing between Bake and Peachwood. Mokaram told commissioners staff expects to file the notice of completion for a set of final items, including the Trabuco Trail rehabilitation and Lake Forest Drive resurfacing, in March.

Mokaram said the Lake Forest Regional Traffic Synchronization Project — a corridor signal‑timing and technology upgrade between Laguna Canyon Road and Portola Parkway done in collaboration with the cities of Irvine and Laguna Hills and Caltrans — is complete. The total project cost was reported as $1,600,000, with the City of Lake Forest contributing $300,000.

Staff summary numbers in the presentation showed 13 CIP projects completed in 2023 and 18 in 2024, bringing the program total of completed projects to 31. Current construction work includes Zone D asphalt repairs (mobilized two weeks before the meeting), ongoing sign replacement in Zone C after completing Zones A and B, Barker Ranch dog park synthetic turf replacement (park reopened the prior week), and the El Toro Irrigation Conservation Project (awarded in December and underway). Mokaram also reported progress on Civic Center campus upgrades including conference room and team space improvements.

Several transportation projects remain in preconstruction or early construction administration. Mokaram said three Lake Forest transportation mitigation (TSSP) projects had construction contracts awarded in 2024 and that Alton TSSP construction started in December. She said construction administration and inspection contracts were advertised late in 2024, with awards expected in March and advertising for construction anticipated in April. She also described four design projects on El Toro (from Jeronimo to Trabuco) that staff plan to bundle for construction.

Park and recreation projects discussed included plans or contract preparation for a box‑lacrosse rink at Foothill Ranch, synthetic turf replacements at Baker Ranch Park and Sports Park, Heroes Park lighting upgrades, and bids under preparation for pickleball court conversions or restripes at five parks (El Toro Park: convert sand volleyball to two pickleball courts; Pittsburgh Park: restripe tennis courts for two pickleball courts; Foothill Ranch, Baker Ranch and Borrego Parks: restripe basketball courts). Mokaram said design work is underway on multiple intersection improvement projects, four park renovation projects (including Normandale Open Space and Heroes Park sports fields), and a citywide restroom renovation program.

Commissioners asked operational questions during the presentation: whether Barker Ranch’s new turf is synthetic (Mokaram: “I’ve been calling it synthetic turf replacement”), whether any sand volleyball courts would remain after conversions (Mokaram said higher‑use sand courts remain in Foothill Ranch/Portola Park and at least some courts will be preserved), and where a planned second left‑turn pocket would be built at the Trabuco/Bake intersection (Mokaram confirmed the widening at that intersection is planned and described ongoing utility relocations that have delayed the schedule).

Mokaram closed by noting several projects anticipated to advertise or enter construction this spring and invited further commissioner questions.

The update provided dates and near‑term procurement steps commissioners requested for follow up; staff indicated notices of completion, construction advertising and contract awards will be reported back as those milestones are reached.