NORTH : LA HABRA : Road Work Planned to Ease Congestion

Improvements to traffic signals and lane markings along two main thoroughfares are expected to be completed by the middle of 1990. The enhancements are expected to ease congestion at major intersections by providing sequenced timing of signals, which would allow motorists to avoid red lights as they travel from one end of La Habra to the other.

The improvements will be along Lambert Road at these intersections: Edwards Drive, Idaho Street, Walnut Street, Euclid Street and Cypress Street. A signal will be upgraded on Harbor Boulevard at Stearns Avenue. The City Council approved upgrading another traffic signal on Beach Boulevard at Fashion Square Lane, which will improve entry and exit from the medical facility there.

Commuters to and from La Habra have complained about a bottleneck that forms in Brea along Lambert Road near the Orange Freeway.

“The intersections are often blocked, resulting in a total gridlock,” said Steve Eginton, who commutes 10 miles daily between Yorba Linda and La Habra. “Nobody can move. It can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes to get to work.”

The council previously authorized improvements to three additional signals on La Habra Boulevard, east of Harbor Boulevard, according to La Habra Traffic Engineer Nelson Wong. When these projects are completed, the La Habra system can be coordinated with that of Brea. The result is expected to reduce problems in both communities.