City seeks safe path to Sage Hill

June Casagrande

Young drivers trying to make a left turn out of Sage Hill School

and into fast-moving traffic on Newport Coast Drive will get some

help from a new traffic signal.

Plans are already underway to install a signal, which should be in

place sometime this spring. The cost is estimated at about $440,000,

of which the school will chip in 25%. The city is trying to get help

from the Irvine Co. and Orange County with remaining costs, but it

will pay the full difference out of the city budget if neither of

these entities contribute.

“We still hopefully will be able to work something out with the

Irvine Co. because they have a commitment to eventually widen the

road to six lanes and to put in signals,” said Rich Edmonston of the

city’s Public Works Department. “They would have had to bear some of

these costs eventually anyway, so that’s what we’re talking to them

about.”

The signal will solve a long-time concern among Newport Coast

residents that the intersection is dangerous, especially for

inexperienced drivers. Currently, no left turn is permitted onto

Newport Coast Drive out of the school. Some drivers opt to make a

right turn then eventually a U-turn; others make the illegal left. In

both cases, rushing traffic on the major thoroughfare poses an

immediate danger.

Earlier this year, the city installed a flashing warning sign in

front of the school, but officials agree that a real traffic signal

there is the only way to assure an adequate safety level.

“It’s important because it’s a high-speed roadway we’d like to

have some kind of safe way to cross into the school,” said Steve

Badum, Public Works director. “Now that the city is in charge of the

Newport Coast area, it’s important for us to address safety there.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.