City presents capital improvement program update: 70 projects totaling $36 million, 33 completed to date

Tom Wheeler, director of public works and city engineer for the City of Lake Forest, presented the city’s quarterly Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update to the Traffic and Parking Commission on May 5, saying the city currently tracks 70 projects with approximately $36,000,000 in planned investment.

Wheeler told commissioners that 33 CIP projects have been completed so far under the current program, representing about $18,000,000 in work. He said 10 projects are currently under construction, nine are in preconstruction, 10 are in design and seven are in pre‑design. He described the current portfolio as “broken up almost evenly between parks and traffic and streets, with a couple other smaller projects for environmental and facilities.”

Wheeler listed recently finished projects that included a synthetic turf replacement at Baker Ranch dog park and a gazebo refresh at Pittsford Park, with new beams, repainting and added lighting. He said contractors are working in Bacon Trabuco (pot‑holing to locate underground utilities) ahead of a roadway widening project that will add dual left‑turn lanes and that delivery of traffic signal poles is expected before major work begins.

Other active work described by Wheeler included residential street asphalt repairs in the Olive Zone D area, audible pedestrian signal installations (which produced initial noise complaints and subsequent volume adjustments), synchronization projects at Alton, Portola and Santa Margarita Parkways, and an El Toro irrigation conservation project that removed turf and replanted with lower‑water vegetation.

Wheeler said upcoming bids and design efforts include converting an El Toro sand volleyball court to two pickleball courts, restriping at Pittsford and Foothill parks for pickleball, a Foothill Ranch lacrosse rink contract, synthetic turf replacement at Baker Ranch Park, lighting work at Heroes Park and a sports‑park synthetic turf installation slated to begin in June. He also said the Jeronimo Road widening project (part of a set of improvements along El Toro Road) received right‑of‑way clearance and should go out to bid soon.

Commissioners raised implementation and outreach questions. A commissioner asked that staff provide final construction schedules and advance notices to nearby neighborhoods (Lake Forest II, Serrano Highlands, Serrano Park HOA) and noted the need for message boards and paper notices so affected residents can plan detours. Wheeler agreed to provide schedule information to the HOAs and to post message boards in advance. Commissioners also asked for clarity on multi‑year horizons for larger projects (Geronimo and Lake Forest/Toledo projects are years out due to transmission line work requiring Edison relocation).

On accessible pedestrian signals, staff said phase 4 includes 18 intersections; after that work the city would have about 30% of its intersections equipped with accessible pedestrian signals. Staff described a process for residents to request signals — contacting traffic staff directly or using the city app — and said requests are prioritized by need.

Wheeler said the next CIP update will include a new two‑year plan that staff expects to bring forward to the City Council for adoption in June 2025.