Deepa BharathThe county’s airport has joined the...

Deepa Bharath

The county’s airport has joined the rest of the nation in reacting to

the “high” terrorism alert issued by the Department of Homeland

Security about two weeks ago.

The orange alert, which is one step below the highest, “red”

alert, has spurred airports nationwide to take immediate security

measures to various degrees, said Ann McCarley, John Wayne Airport’s

public information officer.

As of Thursday, the airport shut off two direct access roads into

the airport -- the Michelson Drive entrance and the access road from

the San Diego Freeway. Instead, passengers must enter the terminal

roadway system from Campus Drive south of the airport or the Costa

Mesa Freeway offramp from the north.

The road closure came after “federal directives” from the

Transportation Security Administration, she said.

Vehicles are also subject to random checks, McCarley said.

“We have checkpoints both at Campus Drive and near the [Costa Mesa

Freeway] offramp,” she said. “But we don’t anticipate a huge delay

because of that.”

On Thursday and Friday, McCarley said she observed that there were

more delays on the Campus Drive entrance during peak hours.

“So passengers may save some time if they use the Costa Mesa

Freeway entrance,” she said. “We do suggest that passengers arrive at

least 2 1/2 hours before their scheduled flight to allow time for

parking, check-in and the security screening process.”

All vehicles entering the parking structures will also be checked.

McCarley said the airport has been doing that since Sept. 11.

A map of the road closures and other routes, and other information

is available at the airport’s Web site, www.ocair.com. Information

can also be obtained by calling (949) 252-5200.