IRVINE
City crews planted shrubbery along the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor last week to hide the toll plaza from the view of Turtle Rock residents.
But city officials said it will take years before the plaza is concealed from sight.
“Because Caltrans regulations don’t allow trees within 30 feet of asphalt traffic ways, we went with shrubs,” said Steve Bourke, Irvine public works superintendent. “They will grow upright to 8 to 10 feet tall eventually, and provide better screening than what is there now.”
The issue has been a nagging concern for Turtle Rock residents, whose hillside village overlooks a portion of the toll road. As a result, the council formed a committee to address residents’ complaints. Mayor Christina L. Shea reported the group’s findings at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
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