Close
Updated:

Road Improvement Study Underway in Orange County

A $1.2 million dollar study, approved by Orange County transportation planners will look at how to improve a section of highway from the Santa Ana Freeway, North of El Toro, to San Clemente, which has been a silent witness to many fatal car crashes.

This area includes over 14 cities and some unincorporated territory which has seen unprecedented growth over the years. While many changes have been put in place by the OCTA in South Orange County to improve congestion on the highways, new cities have sprung up over the years, as new schools, and reasonably priced homes became available. In fact, in 1980 the cities of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Niguel had a total population of 205,000, but it is projected that in 2030 those same cities will increase in population by 45%.

Unfortunately, this study comes too late for several of the county residents who lost their lives on Orange County freeways. Just this month all three of the Cobble’s children, Emma 4, Kyle 5, Katie 2, died when a tractor-trailer, driven by Jorge Romero, rear-ended their minivan near the Oso exit. Kyle celebrated his fifth birthday the day before he died. Romero has been cited several times for such things as speeding; driving without his lights on; and, driving on a suspended license. An investigation is ongoing.

The improvements also are too late to save two other people last month, when they were killed in a three car accident on I-5 near the Alicia exit.

According to one reader, Crown Valley and Oso is a dangerous stretch of road, because drivers are backed up all the way back to La Paz and even as far back as Alicia causing very sudden stops in traffic as drivers follow too close.

Remember to drive defensively and don’t follow too close – don’t become a statistic!

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident of any kind, please call Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys at 800-259-6373 for a free consultation.

DO YOU HAVE A CASE?