MacArthur Boulevard Rehabilitation Awaits Results of Report

Dear Street Smart:

I am writing to inquire about why the condition of MacArthur Boulevard is in such a state of disrepair from the new Newport Coast Road heading west to San Joaquin Hills Road.

The conditions on this road have been miserable for more than a year and I can’t believe the city of Newport Beach is not making an effort to repair the road.

For all the people who must use this thoroughfare to commute to Newport Beach daily, I would appreciate your help in answering my question.

Terri Trent, Irvine

The portion of road you are concerned about is not under the jurisdiction of the city of Newport Beach. Caltrans is responsible for it.

Deterioration of MacArthur Boulevard has occurred more rapidly than anticipated because of the recent heavy rains, said Tom Almany, maintenance branch chief for Caltrans.

Maintenance crews have spent the past two weeks patching potholes and making other short-term corrections on MacArthur Boulevard, he said. But, like any other road project, the priority for these repairs has to be weighed against other projects around the county.

The subject of rehabilitating and widening MacArthur Boulevard has been considered for some time, said Joe El-Harake, a Caltrans spokesman. When the Project Study Report is completed in July, Caltrans will be better able to answer where funding will come from for the estimated $5.4-million rehabilitation project and the earliest it could begin.

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Dear Street Smart:

I would like to comment on the barrage of signs on our highways. The biggest question that one must ask is whether these signs are really necessary.

The more I drive on the freeways and streets of Southern California, the more signs I see that really are a waste of money and space. The most offensive sign I have seen reads, “Irrigating with reclaimed water.” Does it really matter and is it worth the taxpayers’ hard-earned money to erect a sign like this? I hardly think so.

Here is a list of some other useless signs: “Car pool minimum violation,” “Improvements funded by . . . ,” “Litter removal next two miles,” “Strict enforcement area.”

There are others out there lurking, so beware. If people really wanted to know this information, wouldn’t they be inclined to call and find out? There is no need to waste tax money on things like this. Wouldn’t it be necessary to have a “Strict enforcement” sign on every corner because all laws are enforced equally everywhere, or is there a “go free” area in every city?

Finally, I would be interested to know how many taxpayer dollars it costs to construct and erect the average road sign. Perhaps $250, maybe $500? As soon as all these useless signs stop popping up everywhere, then maybe the real “Litter removal” will begin.

Adam Lahr, Orange

Caltrans uses four types of signs (Regulation, Warning, Construction, Guide) on state highways to keep the public informed about things like speeds, road conditions, construction areas, directions, traffic regulations and points of interest.

Gary Slater, chief of traffic operations south for Caltrans, said Caltrans generally does limit its signs to just those that provide essential traffic control information. However, certain other signs are necessary for public awareness and are required by state statutes.

Slater addressed your specific signage questions:

1. The use of reclaimed water for greenbelt irrigation is mandated by state statute. Caltrans’ practice of posting signs is to let the public know that Caltrans is accepting its role in water conservation and hopes to encourage others to do the same.

2. Car pool signs were installed after a study showed they improved the effectiveness of HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane operations. A key finding in the report indicated that “drivers felt that raising the fines and posting the minimum level along the freeway would deter violations.” The study also revealed that 62% of the drivers were unaware of the minimum fine.

3. The signs that read “Project funded by . . .” are placed during construction projects to inform motorists that these projects are funded by federal, state or local fuel and sales tax revenues. Orange County sales tax revenues contribute significantly to the local construction program. The signs are removed at the completion of the project.

4. The Caltrans Adopt-a-Highway program began in 1989 and it allows the Department of Transportation to accept funds or services from any person or organization for maintenance of a section of a state highway. Part of this program provides for the recognition of sponsors of each segment of highway to let the public know that the location is being maintained by organizations other than the state. The signs also alert motorists and the CHP that volunteers may be working on the roadside.

5. The “strict enforcement” signs are not standard Caltrans signs and Caltrans is not aware of any such signs on the state highway system.

6. The average cost to install a typical, single-post roadside sign is about $175. A two-post sign is about $350.