If you haven’t yet noticed, Rancho Santa Margarita is in the middle of some fairly intense road construction. Commuter traffic in the morning and evenings along Santa Margarita Parkway from Melinda to the 241 Toll Road has been challenging to say the least.
Road maintenance along Santa Margarita Parkway will be ongoing from April through August of this year. That’s a total of five months. I find myself wondering why in the world it takes five months for street maintenance and I can only hope that work at the intersection of Alicia Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway goes quickly. For me, there is no easy way to skirt this intersection.
The County of Orange is footing the bill for this project through Measure M funds. Measure M…you’re tax dollars at work. Approved in 1990 by Orange County voters, Measure M promised county-wide transportation improvements over a twenty year period. Funds for Measure M projects are obtained from a half-cent sales tax increase.
County improvements include:
• Widening of the El Toro “Y” (the I-5 / I-405 Junction)
• Lane additions to I-5, SR-55, and SR-91
• Metrolink development
• Construction of new Metrolink stations
• Bus discounts for seniors and disabled
• 1.5 billion dollars allocated for street widening, maintenance and repairs.
In addition to county improvements, Measure M funds have been allocated to cities. The City of Rancho Santa Margarita has received nearly 4 million dollars since 1991. These funds have been used for maintenance and widening of city streets, traffic signal synchronization, and additional turn lanes at several locations. Funds have also covered costs for bridge work.
If you have questions about the ongoing road work you may contact the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. For the duration of the next few months, I recommend allowing yourself an additional 10 minutes when traveling Santa Margarita Parkway; and…when you’re feeling uptight…and in a rush…smile…and think about the beautiful paved streets and perfectly synchronized streetlights you’ll be able to enjoy next fall.