State Route 133 Improvement Project

Laguna Canyon Road SR-133

 

Project Summary:

Construction begins: February 2021
Construction ends: April 2023
Revised Cost $39,300,000
Cost per lane foot: $18,714
Speed Reduction: None
Congestion Relief: No Way

 

 

Current Conditions: 

At Laguna Canyon Road or SR-133 southbound, the project segment consists of two general-purpose lanes in the vicinity of SR-73, narrowing to one lane after about 550 feet and continuing as one lane until approximately 300 feet before the El Toro interchange where it widens to two lanes and a left-turn lane. The route continues as two lanes for approximately 200 feet at which point it merges back to one lane for the remainder of the project area. Northbound from project marker PM 3.1,  SR-133 consists of one lane for 400 feet where it widens to two lanes and a right - turn lane at El Toro. It continues as two lanes for approximately 300 feet where it narrows to one lane for approximately 400 feet before becoming two lanes again for the remainder of the project area.

 

 Changes to SR-133:

From El Toro Northbound will become four lanes

From El Toro Southbound will become four lanes

19 utility poles El Toro to 73 will go underground

Purpose:

1. Improve roadway deficiencies  by bringing SR - 133 to  design  standards
2. Improve safety  in the  vicinity  of the SR - 133 / El Toro Road intersection
3. Reduce flooding by improving drainage flow 1.3.2 
4. Underground utility poles
5. Add a Class II (on shoulder) bike lane

Correcting Deficiencies:

• Nonstandard shoulder  widths throughout the corridor
• Overhead poles immediately adjacent nonstandard shoulder widths
• Higher-than-average  collision rates 
• Short-term flooding and debris-carrying catastrophic flooding

Complete Streets Policy Mandates:

The state mandate for Complete Street Policy is AB-1358 while the Cal Department of Transportation has their own Deputy Directive 64 mandate (origin 2001, reaffirmed 2008, 2014). This project addresses Complete Streets Policy this way: 

1.3.2.5 Legislation
There are no known federal, State, or local government mandates that relate to the project. All  projects located on the State Highway System are subject to the requirements of NEPA and CEQA.

1.6.3 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) 
TDM focuses on regional means of reducing  the number of vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled as well as increasing vehicle  occupancy. TDM strategies were not considered and discussed as part of this project because they  were determined to be not relevant to the purpose of  the  project.

Complete Streets Policy Reality:

1.3.2.6 To encourage the alternative modes of transportation, the City of Laguna Beach (City), in cooperation with OCTA , provides a bus service from I - 405 into  Laguna  Beach in the summer months. The  City also operates a trolley service to and from the Canyon of the Arts. 

1.3.2.7 Air Quality Improvements This project does not increase  the highway  capacity; therefore, it does not contribute  additional air pollutants, and per 40  Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40,  Part 93.12 6 , the project is exempt from all conformity requirements. The addition of  the Class II  bike lanes  should encourage the use of bicycles along the route. 

Bottom Line:  

There is no mention of Complete Streets compliance in the SR-133 Improvement Plan.

GOOGLE Search for Complete Streets Policy: 

No results found for "complete street policy" search:http://www.dot.ca.gov/d12/DEA/133/0P94U/.
No results found for "DD-64" search:http://www.dot.ca.gov/d12/DEA/133/0P94U/.
No results found for "Deputy Directive 64" search:http://www.dot.ca.gov/d12/DEA/133/0P94U/.

UPDATE:  Caltrans reply to Complete Streets Safety Policy

More Information:

Link to State Route 133 Improvement Project (contents)
Link to Caltrans Public Notice and Invitation.
Link to Main Project Plan
Link to Appendix D Technical Reports

Link to Daily Pilot Article 5 December 2019

Link to CEQA Notice of Determinations 11 June 2020

LS