Planners Seek Comments on Potential El Toro Interchange Improvements
Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2023
What issues should transportation planners study while considering options for the El Toro Interchange? Should new on- and off-ramps be confined to the Laguna Hills side of the freeway, or should the southbound offramp fly over the freeway into Lake Forest, requiring removal of businesses and a new roundabout?
A drop-in scoping meeting on the interchange is set for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 26 at the Lake Forest Civic Center.
The goal of the conceptual interchange configurations prepared during the Alternatives Assessment Study in 2021 was to meet the Purpose & Need of the project, which would reduce traffic congestion, improve on & off-ramps operation (reduce off-ramp queuing), improve traffic flow, and traffic signal optimization for the SB traffic exiting at El Toro Road.
This study looked at seven alternatives and recommended two Build Alternatives for detailed evaluation. Lake Forest and Laguna Hills also requested transportation planners explore options to increase traffic flow without major construction, using ramp meters and other devices.
The Lake Forest City Council was also scheduled to hear a presentation on the interchange at the Tuesday, July 18 Council meeting.
