Crawford Canyon Road Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project
Location
Crawford Canyon Road, from Newport Boulevard to Chapman Ave in North Tustin
City or County Responsible for Project
Regina Hu
Category
Roads: Efficient and Sustainable Road Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects.
Author
Regina Hu
County of Orange, Public Works
300 N. Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92703
714-647-3927
Project Description
The Crawford Canyon Road Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project consisted of two phases, replacing approximately 1 mile of existing open drainage ditch on the western edge of pavement with a curb and gutter drainage system. Other major improvements included custom designed catch basins with storm drain laterals, inlet/outlet headwall weir structures, reconstruction of driveways and curb ramps, reconfiguration of the Crawford/Barrett Lane intersection, construction of a decomposed granite walking/trail surface, installation of fencing, pavement reconstruction, signing and striping upgrades, school ingress/egress improvements, and safety enhancements to pedestrian crossing. Crawford Canyon Road residents have experienced major flooding within their property during storm events, and have witnessed many car accidents including damage to fences and walls. The project is one of the County’s high-priority legacy projects, 7 years in the making with physical design and political challenges. The pre-construction condition consisted of asphalt concrete drainage V-ditches along one side of the street which is prone to maintenance, debris buildup, and accidents without any physical barriers through blind curves or street lighting. Congestion during school hours posed a concern for students who had no walking path to be dropped off. This project resolved all the concerns with the following features: • The project provided this community with a storm drain system that can withstand a 25-year storm event with minimal maintenance. • The pavement was reconstructed to facilitate drainage into the proper channels via catch basins. • The curb and gutter provided an extra barrier for vehicles so they no longer crash into private property. • The AC V-ditch was replaced with a pervious, more sustainable walking/recreation path for residents, which provided a safer route to school for students. • Egress and ingress improved for the elementary school by providing a bus pull-out. • Signage, delineation, pavement markers were added to provide better visibility of blind curves and in the evenings. • The Barrett Lane and Crawford Canyon Road intersection was reconfigured with bulb-outs, rectangular flashing beacon crossings, and in pavement flashers to reduce traveling speeds and provide a much safer crossing for pedestrians. • A crossing guard was hired during school hours. • A middle turn lane was implemented to facilitate safer turn movements. Additionally, the project so well-received by the community that the County received kudos and follow-up requests for additional improvements to complement the completed drainage & roadway project. The County is now planning another phase of the project to continue the walking path/trail to the south and the addition of a neighborhood park on the southern terminus with sustainable features and drought tolerant plants.
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