Arrows, Markers Now Identify Newport Blvd. Left-Turn Lanes

Dear Street Smart:

About a year ago I wrote you regarding the situation at Newport Boulevard and Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. The condition still exists with apparently no effort to correct it, either on the part of the state or the city of Costa Mesa. As a result, someone has created a dangerous traffic situation.

When traveling north on Newport Boulevard, one comes to the light at Fair Drive. The left lane is clearly marked with two signs stating “Left Turn Only.” However, drivers either don’t see them, or disregard them if they do, and proceed directly ahead through the intersection.

Newport Boulevard was recently repaved and the left-turn arrows on the road have not been repainted. But even when they were there, the same condition existed.

Why can’t they put up the plastic pipe cones, such as they have as you depart Coast Highway onto Dover Drive in Newport Beach? Short of that, take the “Left Turn Only” signs down.

Dwight Gick

Newport Beach

Street Smart passed along your letter to Caltrans, and since then Caltrans has repainted the left-turn arrows and placed Botts Dotts to further guide drivers on the left-turn-only lane.

For an extra mental nudge for northbound Newport Boulevard drivers, Caltrans has also painted a right arrow on the pavement of the furthermost left lane so through traffic knows to merge right if they want to continue on Newport Boulevard. If they don’t merge, they must turn left onto Fair Drive.

Using plastic pipe cones, called “channelizers,” is not practical at this location, Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Orem said. The channelizers wouldn’t give motorists on the northbound Costa Mesa Freeway off-ramp flowing to Newport Boulevard enough room to merge.

Dear Street Smart:

When you exit Interstate 5 at Lake Forest Drive and cross Lake Forest Drive onto Avenida de la Carlota, immediately there is a speed limit sign that states 45 m.p.h. About 30 feet further, there is another sign that states the speed limit is 30 m.p.h.

This is ridiculous. Why isn’t the 45 m.p.h. sign moved to around the two upcoming bends where it makes a little more sense?

Dale E. Cornelison

Laguna Hills

On the strength of your letter, Orange County’s Traffic Engineering Department conducted an investigation and agreed with you that the signs are close, although not as close as you think. But, because of the geography of the road, there may not be enough room to place them farther apart.

Ignacio Ochoa, Orange County’s traffic engineer, says that a survey years ago determined that 45 m.p.h. was the appropriate maximum speed for Avenida de la Carlota. Thus, a black and white “regulatory” speed limit sign was posted.

The 30 m.p.h. “advisory” sign was posted about 200 feet beyond the speed limit sign to alert drivers to upcoming curves in the road. This yellow and black sign is not mandatory but acts as a gentle suggestion to motorists that they may want to go slower than the maximum speed to more easily maneuver some feature in the road.

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Senior citizens and people with disabilities may obtain a reduced fare identification card at the Orange County Transportation Authority offices, Union Bank Square, 550 S. Main St., Orange.

The card costs $2, and card holders pay only 45 cents during peak bus hours (6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.) on Mondays through Fridays, and 15 cents at all other times.

Information: OCTA at (714) 636-RIDE.