La Pata Avenue / Del Rio FAQs

What work is currently proposed?

The County of Orange retained consultants to prepare the environmental document for the La Pata Avenue Gap Closure and Camino Del Rio Extension. The process includes studying environmental impacts for the proposed project and reviewing several previously studied alignments.

The environmental documents will analyze the proposed project and associated impacts on the environment. Based on identified impacts, where possible, measures will be proposed to eliminate or reduce any significant impacts. Based on public input and analysis, a final environmental document will be prepared.

The process is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2011. The first phase includes developing the necessary studies, reports and analysis required under CEQA regulations.

The initial step began in November 2009 with the release of the Notice of Preparation for the Environmental Impact Report. A public scoping meeting was conducted on December 2, 2009 in San Clemente to provide project information and garner input from interested parties. A public meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report was conducted November 18th, 2010 in San Clemente to provide interested parties an opportunity to review and provide comments on the project documents. Public outreach efforts included numerous community meetings throughout the process. Outreach efforts also included mailing project information to residents/businesses within a quarter mile of the project and to key stakeholders/and interested parties. The County's project Web site was launched and city Web sites included project information for residents. Press releases were issued to regional and local media. Based on input from the public meetings the project was refined in the Final Environmental Impact Report ( Final EIR) to address comments received during the Draft Environmental Impact Report phase.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report was released for a 45 day public review period on November 3, 2010. The document was available until December 17, 2010.. A public meeting regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report was held on November 18, 2010.

After the public review period, responses to comments were prepared and the final environmental document submitted to the County for certification. The County Planning Commission will hold a public meeting on the Final EIR April 27, 2011.

Where can I review a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report?

The Draft EIR is available for review at the following locations:

County of Orange
Department of Public Works
300 North Flower Street, Room 622
Santa Ana, CA 92703

San Juan Capistrano Regional Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

San Clemente Library
242 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672

City of San Juan Capistrano
32400 Paseo Adelanto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

City of San Clemente
100 Avenida Presidio
San Clemente, CA 92673

What will the La Pata Gap Closure and Camino Del Rio Gap Extension involve?

The County of Orange is conducted studies and environmental work on a proposed project that would widen and extend the 1.8-mile existing section of La Pata Avenue south of Ortega Highway, outside the City of San Juan Capistrano, roughly two miles south to connect with the existing La Pata Avenue in San Clemente at Calle Saluda. The project would close the "gap" between the two roadway segments and provide an essential link in the local roadway network. The proposed project also includes the Camino Del Rio extension to future La Pata Avenue from where it ends east of Camino De Los Mares. The existing three-lane, 1.8-mile segment of La Pata south of Ortega Highway will include two additional lanes for a total of five lanes, including a climbing lane for vehicles bound for the landfill site. From the end of the existing portion of La Pata south to Calle Saluda, a distance of about two miles, La Pata will be analyzed as a new four lane facility. The Camino Del Rio extension will also be studied as a new four-lane facility. The La Pata Avenue Gap Closure and Camino Del Rio Extension project is designed to significantly ease local traffic congestion while minimizing environmental impacts on the area's high quality of life. The project also provides an alternative emergency access route for adjacent residential areas.

Why is this project important?

The proposed project is needed to eliminate an existing gap in the County arterial highway system and establish a connection between Ortega Highway to the north and Avenida Vista Hermosa and Avenida Pico to the south. The project also includes implementation of the planned extension of Camino Del Rio to Avenida La Pata to further improve connectivity in this portion of the County. These improvements complete the circulation plans included in both the Talega and Forster Ranch Specific Plans. The project will also provide direct local connections between the communities of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo and Ladera along with Los Flores Ranch. These communities will be able to avoid the congested I-5 freeway and enjoy improved access to local amenities including schools, shopping, parks and other recreational facilities. In addition, the completion of the project will improve mobility for these communities especially in time of local health and safety emergencies or need for evacuation.

Specific transportation issues that exist within this area of Southern Orange County include:

Lack of north-south connectivity of the arterial roadway system
No arterial highways connecting the County and the City of San Juan Capistrano to the City of San Clemente (limiting motorists to the I-5 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway to travel to or from the city)
Existing and projected increased congestion on the I-5
Currently, there is no parallel north-south route to the I-5, in case of emergencies
Limited transit service

What are we trying to accomplish with this project?

The proposed La Pata Avenue Gap closure project would provide an alternate north-south connection to I-5 between the City of San Clemente and communities toward the west. Local traffic would have a more direct route between the communities and the City instead of circling around to the freeway system. It is anticipated that implementation of this transportation improvement project will result in numerous mobility benefits. The project is expected to: The project is expected to:

Reduce peak-period travel times between the connected communities
Reduce the vehicle miles traveled and associated emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions
Implement the vision of the adopted Master Plan of Arterial Highways
Improve the reliability of travel and access to the existing roadway network
Improve transit opportunities in South Orange County
Protect views from existing neighborhoods
Enhance emergency access and reduce emergency response times for areas served by the local circulation network

Can you give me a description of the La Pata Gap Closure proposed project?

The proposed project will provide additional mobility options between San Clemente and the communities to the west including San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Los Flores and Rancho Santa Margarita.

The La Pata Avenue Gap Closure's northern point of study starts just 2,700 feet south of Ortega Highway at its intersection with Antonio Parkway and La Pata Avenue (a current project will provide improvements from the Ortega/La Pata intersection to 2,700 feet south of the intersection). From this point, La Pata Avenue continues south as an existing three lane paved roadway through unincorporated territory, just east of the City of San Juan Capistrano. Two new lanes will be added to this section of roadway, for a total of five lanes. This roughly 1.8-mile existing section of La Pata Avenue ends at the County's Prima Deshecha Landfill site. From that point, a new four-lane La Pata Avenue would extend south just east of the existing Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric power-line corridor.

The proposed project remains east of the power-line facilities as it enters San Clemente's northern City limits. As the proposed project nears the Talega residential development, the roadway curves west away from the Talega development as it crosses the power-line corridor. Shortly after it crosses the power-line corridor, it turns south to connect with existing La Pata Avenue at Calle Saluda in San Clemente. All trail connections will be maintained.

Can you give me a description of the Camino Del Rio Extension?

The Camino Del Rio extension starts at the east end of existing Camino Del Rio in the Forster Ranch development in San Clemente. The proposed four-lane road would extend east for about 0.25 miles to connect with the future La Pata Avenue at a signalized intersection. The improvements will include sufficient width to provide parkway landscaping and sidewalks consistent with the existing roadway.

What are the next steps and timelines?

The current schedule is as follows:

Notice of Preparation – November 10, 2009 (Completed)
Public Scoping Meeting – December 2, 2009 (Completed)
Technical Reports Preparation – Spring/Summer 2010 (Completed)
Draft Environmental Documentation Circulation - November 3 through December 17, 2010 (Completed)
Draft EIR/Public Meeting - November 18, 2010 (Completed)
Final EIR Public Meeting/County Planning Commission - April 27, 2011
Project Approval/Final EIR Certification/County Board of Supervisors -– Second Quarter 2011

What is the relationship with the La Pata Gap Closure and the Foothill Transportation Corridor-South (FTC-South)?

There is no direct relationship between the FTC-South and La Pata Gap Closure. These facilities serve different travel needs. The FTC south primarily serves regional traffic while the La Pata Avenue/Camino Del Rio project will primarily serve traffic between the local communities. The environmental work for the La Pata Gap Closure/Camino Del Rio Extension will include traffic analysis and review of impacts for project scenarios with and without the future extension of the Foothill Transportation Corridor-South toll road.

When is construction anticipated?

If funding goals are achieved, the County anticipates construction could begin as early as 2015.

How would construction be funded?

Construction of the project is dependent on the availability of funds. The proposed funding is anticipated to come from a variety of sources including local, regional and developer funding. As part of Rancho Mission Viejo's development and the Talega development plans, some developer funding is obligated to the project.

What notification was provided to Residents/Business’s?

Notification for the project is provided through a variety of resources including those listed below. These resources were all used during the Notice of Preparation/Scoping, Draft EIR and Final EIR phases and will be utilized during the final approval phase as well.

Identified stakeholders and interested parties are sent periodic update letters and information regarding upcoming meetings.
All residents/businesses within a quarter mile are notified of key milestones and public meetings.
Establishment of County and City Web site information on the project; key documents and opportunity for comment and feedback.
Press releases sent to all regional and local media of pending release of documents and public meetings.
Online information on the County's and local cities' Web site. Information disseminated via City electronic newsletters.
Maintenance of a database to ensure all people that have attended meetings provided comments or asked to be added to the mailings lists are notified of events.

How can I participate in the process?

Public participation is essential in helping to shape the ultimate direction and decisions for this project. You can participate by:

Attending upcoming meetings advertised throughout the communities
Staying informed through the County Web site
Obtaining information from your city’s Web site.
Sending us your questions or comments

How can I receive information about the project?

There are a number of ways you can stay informed on the project. If you have attended a recent meeting, you will automatically be notified of future community meetings and public hearings. Information is available on the following web sites, which are periodically updated with important information and scheduled meetings.

Project Manager: Harry Persaud
Tel: 714.834.2694
Email: Harry Persaud
Website: Planned Communities Home Page