Lake Forest public works details $36 million capital program, traffic projects and school safety work

Tom Wheeler, Lake Forest City director of public works and city engineer, told the Traffic and Parking Commission on March 3 that the cityhas 70 major projects in its capital improvement program (CIP) with a total budget of about $36,000,000.

Wheeler said the city finished 31 CIP projects across recent cycles and completed seven CIP projects and one operational project since the last quarterly update. Completed work includes slurry sealing on Geronimo and Maryland, a Rockfield median at Lake Forest Drive near the Shell station, paving of the Trabuco Road trail and Trabuco Road itself, a left-turn improvement at Ascension Cemetery and a corridor-wide traffic-signal synchronization on Lake Forest Drive. Wheeler said the Lake Forest synchronization project reduced average travel time by 9% to 19%, reduced number of stops by up to 39% and decreased delays by up to 31%; the city contributed about $300,000 toward a $1.6 million project funded largely through OCTA.

Wheeler outlined the programstatus: 13 projects ($7 million) completed in 2023 and 18 projects ($10 million) completed in 2024, for 31 total finished projects in the current CIP cycle. He reported 11 projects in construction, 11 projects beginning construction or procurement, 10 projects in design and seven in pre-design.

The construction list included three intersection widening projects (Geronimo and Lake Forest Drive; Rancho Parkway at Lake Forest Drive; Rockfield and Los Olisos Boulevard) that add or reconfigure turn pockets, and the Alton Parkway traffic-signal synchronization program. Wheeler said some projects show little visible activity while contractors order long-lead items such as signal poles.

On El Toro Road, Wheeler said the city is seeking property access tied to a court process to obtain slope access near an apartment complex. Once the court matter is resolved the city plans a bid this summer for a package that includes alignment improvements, dual left-turn lanes, a landscaped center median and resurfacing.

Wheeler described several park projects: Parker Ranch Dog Park synthetic-turf replacement, Sports Park synthetic-turf replacement, Pittsford Park shade-structure renovation, conversion of one Foothill Ranch hockey rink to a box-lacrosse rink, restriping tennis and basketball courts to add pickleball courts, restroom renovations across parks, and Edney Skatepark improvements. He said some park projects are in construction, others in design or pre-design and that community services will do outreach where appropriate.

Wheeler also summarized traffic work in design and pre-design, including intersection widening on Bay Parkway and Toledo Road, Geronimo Road and Bay Parkway, and Los Olisos at Maryland; two signal-synchronization projects on Irvine Boulevard and Bacon/Rockfield; audible pedestrian signals (phase 4); and the Bacon Parkway widening project.

Commissioners asked about protected-permissive left-turn signals. Wheeler said the city has installed protected-permissive operations at two locations and deferred two more (Monarch and Catalina at Alton) after council questions about cost and lane removal; staff will return with recommendations after the Alton Parkway synchronization project is complete and the intersections are reanalyzed.

Commissioner Patel asked for a status update on the corridor study the commission approved several months ago. Wheeler said the city hired AGA Engineers and that the study focuses on Bay Parkway, Lake Forest Drive and El Toro Road; the consultant is in the data-collection phase. Wheeler said the study is roughly a year-long, that staff plans a field visit with commissioners, and expects initial recommendations in one to two months.

Wheeler said the city completed a citywide engineering traffic survey and is posting revised speed limits. He confirmed the certified survey allows sheriffdepartment personnel to use radar or LIDAR for enforcement and that surveys are typically recertified every five to seven years.

Wheeler described the citytraffic management center (TMC) at city hall, where signals and camera feeds are collected for real-time monitoring; staff expects to offer a summer demonstration to the commission. He also said the Lake Forest synchronization project has entered ongoing maintenance; staff asks residents who see timing issues to provide day and time of the occurrence to help troubleshooting.

On school-safety work, Wheeler said OCTA awarded an OCTA Next Steps Safe Transportation Education Program grant to Rancho Kenyatta Elementary School. OCTAconsultant Alta Planning led a walk audit with parents and students; Wheeler said the audit collected problems and observations and that OCTA will return with site and off-site recommendations, which staff will present to the commission.

Commissioners raised congestion at an In-N-Out in Foothill Ranch that has generated queueing onto public streets. Wheeler said the restaurant and the property manager have been receptive to discussions but that changes on private property can require encroachment approvals or cooperation among multiple property owners; staff continues to discuss possible measures.

Wheeler closed by reiterating the program counts: 31 projects finished, 11 under construction, 11 starting construction, 10 in design and seven in pre-design, and invited commissioners to contact him with questions.

Ending — The commission did not take a formal vote on the CIP presentation; Wheeler said staff will bring specific project actions, budget adjustments or acquisition updates back to the commission and council as required.