South County Traffic Solutions 

By Supervisor Pat Bates
Ladera Times

On May 23, 2007, I convened a meeting with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), CalTrans and public works directors from various South Orange County cities.  The goal of this meeting centered on my campaign promise of identifying and bringing to reality tangible traffic congestion relief solutions for South County residents.  My objective was to have key decision makers at the same table, so as not to lose anything in translation, for an old-fashion session of rolling up our sleeves to find a better way for the State, County, OCTA and Cities to take traffic congestion relief projects off the drawing boards and onto the streets.

While this approach proved to be fruitful, one idea came about from the realization that our “all-hands” meeting was short at least one important partner.  That partner was the utility companies that service our South County communities.  For many South County residents, and in particular Ladera Ranch, that company is San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).  Of concurrence between the County and cities alike was the need to find a more collaborative approach to project delivery when working with utility companies. 

Based on these talks, I arranged a meeting with officials from SDG&E and focused the discussion on strategies to expedite the delivery of local traffic congestion improvements such as the Crown Valley Traffic Relief Project. With our growing population in South Orange County, I stressed the importance of SDG&E working at off-peak hours such as late in the evening to reduce the impact on daily commuters who can’t afford to be delayed an additional 15-20 minutes on what already amounts to an overly long drive to and from work. 

Perhaps the most important outcome of my meeting with SDG&E was the idea to establish “quarterly utility meetings” between South County cities and SDG&E.  In our high-tech age of email, text-messaging and voicemail, it appears we have in fact lost a significant amount in translation.  In listening to both groups, they felt projects were commonly delayed over misunderstandings and miscommunications.  Shortly after this meeting, I contacted city public works directors and asked them to establish quarterly meetings with the utilities and endeavor to have face-to-face meetings more frequently as projects neared completion.  Cities were receptive and provided positive feedback to my office. 

I learned long ago there is no panacea for transportation gridlock, however, we must continue to focus on a collaborative approach where all stakeholders are at the table providing ideas and answers to solving our traffic conundrum.  Overnight work shifts and quarterly utility meetings won’t fix every problem, but based on the encouraging feedback I’ve received thus far, they will play important roles in the timely delivery of South County transportation projects and, in particular, address traffic congestion problems presently impacting residents of Ladera Ranch.