Laguna Beach seeks funding to coordinate coastal highway signals

Laguna Beach is seeking regional transportation funding to coordinate 40 traffic signals along about 12 miles of Pacific Coast Highway through Laguna Beach and Dana Point, aiming to reduce stops and travel times, according to Voice of OC.

The proposal would coordinate signal timing across the two Orange County cities and give officials remote access to equipment that Laguna Beach currently cannot adjust remotely. Funding and Laguna Beach’s local contribution still require approval.

According to Voice of OC, the proposed corridor runs between School/State Park in Laguna Beach and Dana Point’s Doheny Road. It includes 24 signals in Laguna Beach and 16 in Dana Point.

Laguna Beach’s application seeks about $2,688,000 through Measure M2, subject to Orange County Transportation Authority approval. The grant would pay 80% of project costs, with the cities sharing the balance. Laguna Beach’s proposed share is a little over $400,000; according to the city staff report cited by Voice of OC, city leaders would need to approve that contribution after grant funding is received.

The cities would work with CalTrans to coordinate signals and install detection cameras and remote access capabilities. CalTrans would own and maintain the Laguna Beach signals and has provided a letter supporting the proposal, Voice of OC reported.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Laguna Beach Assistant City Engineer Tran Tran said the goal was fewer stops rather than uninterrupted green lights along the entire route. Tran also suggested adding remote control of green lights for emergency evacuations, according to Voice of OC.

Councilmember Bob Whalen said updated traffic counts should wait until the highway reopens at El Morro, where a bluff crack prompted a closure. He said the closure affects normal traffic flow, Voice of OC reported.

Tran estimated the project would take about a year after construction begins, according to Voice of OC. No start date was specified, and the funding application remains subject to approval.