LAGUNA NIGUEL : Traffic at El Toro ‘Y’ to Be Forum’s Topic

How to deal with the traffic problems caused by reconstruction of the El Toro “Y” freeway interchange will be discussed at a community forum Wednesday.

Assembled at the open house will be several county transportation officials who are overseeing the 2 1/2-year, $105-million project.

The meeting will take place at Design Center South, 23811 Aliso Creek Road, at 5:30 p.m.

The Orange County Transportation Authority’s goal “is to make the construction period as painless as possible for South County residents and businesses,” said Doug Eberhardt, the agency’s project manager.

“We intend to keep everyone well-informed throughout the construction period.”

A 12-minute video giving an overview of the project will be shown, and transportation officials will explain how to use a construction hot line to get current information on construction activity.

OCTA officials will answer questions and offer tips on how to deal with freeway traffic during construction.

Information about express bus and commuter rail schedules will be available.

The South Orange County Chambers of Commerce is working with the county to help ease the pressure the freeway project will place on area businesses.

“These open houses are a great opportunity for residents, employers and merchants to learn how the construction project will affect them,” said Kate Keena, executive director of the regional chamber.

“This kind of advance notice will allow people who live, work and shop along the corridor time to study alternative transportation options and develop marketing strategies.”

For more information about the meeting, call the chamber at (714) 837-3000 or OCTA at (714) 560-5597.