Portion of Road Out for 9 Months

A stretch of Santiago Boulevard that takes motorists into Anaheim Hills will be closed for nine months while Caltrans works to stabilize a slipping hillside.

The $784,000 project calls for excavating the hillside between Nohl Canyon and Nohl Ranch roads to create a secure new slope, said Pam Gorniak, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

A retaining wall will be built to buttress the hillside. A deteriorated portion of Santiago will also be realigned and upgraded.

The California Department of Transportation owns that portion of the boulevard between Nohl Ranch and Nohl Canyon, as well as part of the hillside.

In January, the slope began to erode as rain saturated the hillside. Several properties atop the hill were damaged.

Emergency work stabilized the hillside. But now, Gorniak said Caltrans will seek a longer-lasting fix.

Caltrans also has bought three hilltop homes on Maple Tree Drive, and the purchases of two others is pending. Gorniak said the agency needed easements to conduct the work.

Residents have moved from their homes, which mainly suffered exterior damage, such as cracked patios, pools and block walls, Gorniak said.

Homeowners were given fair-market value for their properties, Gorniak said, based on their condition before they were damaged.

Property repairs have also been made. Because the homes suffered no structural damage and are still habitable, Gorniak said Caltrans plans to sell them.

During construction, signs will indicate detours for motorists. Local businesses will remain open and provide access.

Information: (714) 724-2077.