Jammed Streets and Intersections Worsen Near John Wayne

Confirming what many drivers suspected, a county report Thursday found that the increasing number of passengers at John Wayne Airport has worsened traffic on streets and intersections near the airport.

A 1983 study found that nine of 24 intersections near the airport were at “the limit of acceptable delay,” or so congested as to be “unacceptable to most drivers.” This year, 13 of the 24 intersections fit the definition.

“Increases in airport traffic have contributed to deterioration” of traffic flow, the report by the county Environmental Management Agency said.

The report, to be considered by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, is part of the documentation required for expansion of the airport.

In 1983, 2.79 million passengers used the airport, the report said. Last year, the total was 4.06 million. When the new terminal is built, up to 8.4 million passengers will be able to fly to and from the airport.

The intersections with the greatest increase in traffic since 1983 are MacArthur Boulevard at Red Hill Avenue (40%); Santa Ana Avenue at Bristol Street (56%), and Red Hill at Main Street (17%), the report said.

The report rates both Red Hill Avenue intersections F during afternoon commute hours, but gives Bristol and Santa Ana Avenue a C in the morning and B in the evening.

Other intersections with “unacceptable” grades in the report are MacArthur at Main and at MacArthur’s northbound and southbound ramps to the San Diego Freeway; Jamboree Boulevard at Michelson Drive and at Jamboree’s northbound ramp of the San Diego Freeway; Campus Drive at Airport Way North and at Bristol Street South; Irvine Avenue at Mesa Drive, at 17th and at 22nd streets, and Santa Ana Avenue at Mesa Drive.

The report said that some roads will be widened and intersections improved under existing plans and pointed out that others may be upgraded in the future.

The county is working with the cities of Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach on coordinating improvements to roads in the area and jointly monitoring traffic conditions.