Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133) Widening Project Report

LSA coordinated the development of the original Project Study Report (PSR) and Project Report for the first plans for widening and reconstruction of Laguna Canyon Road (State Route 133) from I-405 to El Toro Road. LSA then prepared the first EIR for the project and coordinated reviews by State, City, County, and federal resource agencies. Issues included traffic, biological resources, archaeological resources, flood control, and funding. The project was put on hold in 1989 when the City of Laguna Beach purchased much of the surrounding property. In 1992, the Orange County Environmental Management Agency restarted efforts on this roadway project and requested that LSA resume its studies. LSA coordinated the development of a new project alternative, which was developed through the combined efforts of a 17-member Citizens Consensus Committee. The County identified the Consensus plan as the preferred alternative for this highly sensitive project. Under contract to the County, LSA prepared a new PSR and EIR for this new alternative. The EIR also fully considered three other project alternatives. After 10 years of controversy, the consensus project was supported by all the affected agencies, and the EIR was certified in October 1994. The Final Project Report was signed by Caltrans on May 14, 2001.

LSA has also worked on two other segments of Laguna Canyon Road. The first segment, located between Old Laguna Canyon Road and the proposed Lake Forest Drive extension, would add a third lane in each direction; widen the shoulders within the project limits; and provide a new, signalized intersection at Lake Forest Drive. LSA prepared a Project Report/PSR for the proposed project, which was approved by Caltrans District 12 in April 2007. The project will be constructed by the Irvine Company and is a transportation mitigation measure for the development proposed in Planning Areas 18, 33, 34, and 39.

Client: County of Orange, California

Location: Laguna Beach, California