A Welcome Caltrans Speedup

The fear and loathing associated with road construction work in Anaheim is far-reaching. For months, people planning trips from South County to Los Angeles have calculated alternate routes to avoid getting stuck on the Santa Ana Freeway during rush hour. Locally, people in the Disneyland area have been trying to find their way around in the confusion.

Fortunately, there was some welcome news last week. Caltrans managed to build one part of the project, the Katella Avenue freeway undercrossing, in half the expected time.

The $1-billion widening of the Santa Ana Freeway has affected businesses and frayed nerves. Motorists who already have endured painful rewidening along the freeway in Santa Ana and south at the El Toro Y now are reaping the benefits, but the current Anaheim phase has been especially arduous and frustrating. The dislocation has been compounded by work being done on city streets.

The Katella Avenue work was supposed to have been done in 10 days but was completed in five.

The improved traffic flow will ease congestion in the Disneyland neighborhood. The Orange County Transportation Authority now says the tide is turning. Its spokesman forecasts better days ahead. The freeway widening is scheduled to be finished late next year. So motorists can begin to take heart.

Caltrans workers and engineers deserve a “well done” for accelerating the work. Because of their effort, there will be less inconvenience for the drivers of the 36,000 vehicles that pass through the area each day.

As Orange County grows, road widening and reconstruction projects create necessary disruption to achieve long-term gain. Caltrans and city public works departments can make it easier on everyone by keeping the public informed. Irvine even has put up pennants along a work zone on Jamboree to boost rider morale. It’s nice to show appreciation to the drivers for enduring all the hassles.