New Lanes on Santa Ana Freeway to Be Open Next Fall

Dear Street Smart:

In a past column, you said that Caltrans will complete work soon on the southern portion of the Santa Ana Freeway widening. You also said that Caltrans will not open the new lanes until improvements are completed on the Santa Ana-Costa Mesa freeways interchange.

I understand the need to improve that interchange. Traffic on the northbound side of the Santa Ana Freeway backs up quite a bit at that point, and extra lanes ending there would worsen the situation considerably.

On the other hand, I believe there are no plans to modify the El Toro Y interchange between the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways, so there is no reason why the new southbound lanes should not be opened once completed.

Bruce Borden, Tustin

You’re not alone in your suggestion. George J. Torres of Irvine wrote a similar letter, urging that lanes on both sides open, in some fashion.

“At a minimum, the southbound lanes could be opened relatively soon from Jamboree south once they are complete. Although they ultimately empty into the El Toro Y, many commuters exit earlier at Jeffrey, Culver and Jamboree.

“Even the northbound lanes could be opened gradually and ‘necked-down’ from six lanes to five, to four and then three lanes as you progress north. The bottom line is that any relief will help!” Torres wrote.

As it turns out, you both get your wishes. Caltrans has always hoped to open the lanes earlier, if feasible. The agency is just cautious about making promises until it knows it can deliver.

Come next fall when work finishes, the southbound side of the Santa Ana Freeway should open up to six lanes, one reserved for car-pools, spokesman Albert Miranda said.

When work to improve the El Toro Y finishes, then all the lanes can continue down to the junction. Currently, work should begin in 1994, Miranda said.

On the northbound side of the Santa Ana, all six of the new lanes will also be open, narrowing in degrees as the freeway nears the interchange with the Costa Mesa Freeway, Miranda said. Once work there is completed, then the six lanes should all continue up to the junction.

Dear Street Smart:

In Newport Beach, the right-turn lane to the southbound side of Coast Highway from the southbound side of Newport Boulevard has been blocked off for a long time. Since this situation appears semi-permanent, what does the highway department suggest I do when I leave the vicinity of Hoag Hospital to drive home to Irvine on Coast Highway? When will there be a final solution? In the mean time, I am thankful that my blood pressure is taken before I am confronted with the current impasse.

C. Zepul, Irvine

No “semi” about it, that ramp is permanently closed. But not to worry--another one exists to take its place.

Newport Beach traffic engineer Rich Edmonston says he suspects you’ve probably missed the changeover.

To reach the southbound side of Coast Highway, take the ramp that used to lead only to the northbound side--the ramp that splits off just before the bridge. You’ll find a traffic signal at the end of the ramp, and a left-turn lane that will take you across the road and onto the southbound side.

Hope that keeps your blood pressure low!

Dear Street Smart:

The temporary extension I was issued after renewing my driver’s license nearly expired before the permanent one arrived. What would have happened if the new one hadn’t come in time?

F. Yale Funk, Seal Beach

Sounds like you were a victim of the backlog blues. The Department of Motor Vehicles began issuing new, credit card-type drivers’ licenses in March, and it has taken until now for the process to be smoothed out, according to spokesman Bill Madison.

Equipment glitches, operator errors and other minor problems caused delays, but now the system is mostly in order. However since September, the DMV has been issuing three-month temporary licenses instead of two-month ones, just to be on the safe side, according to Madison.

Although the delays may be the DMV’s fault, it still remains the responsibility of the motorist to have a current license, Madison said. Driving without one is breaking the law.

Those with two-month licenses about to expire can have an additional extension mailed to them, while those with three-month licenses about to expire must go into a DMV office, where the delay can be tracked down. Those having to go in should make an appointment, for faster service.

By the way, the new licenses are laminated and have a holograph of the state seal, making them difficult to counterfeit, Madison said. Drivers under 21 have their photo on the right side and those over 21 have theirs on the left, making it easier to identify those old enough to drink.

Here’s this week’s Street Smart fun fact: Madison says the DMV issues about 7 million licenses a year.