Ortega Highway Closes To Drivers: 55-Hour Closure SJC To Elsinore

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA —Residents of Rancho Mission Viejo and south Orange County, be advised: A full 55-hour closure of state Route 74 — from the Orange County-Riverside County line to Monte Vista Street, just west of Lake Elsinore — begins Friday night.

The July 16-19 closure starts at 10 p.m. Friday and continues through 5 a.m. Monday.

Motorists are advised they will not be let through during the shutdown, although a designated pilot car will escort local residents. Significant wait times, possibly exceeding two hours, are expected for residents, according to Caltrans.

In addition to this weekend's closure, 55-hour shutdowns will take place every other weekend on the Riverside County side of the Ortega Highway. Closure weekends are:

• July 16 - 19
• July 30 - August 2
• August 13 – 16
• August 27 - 30

The schedules are subject to change, and additional full 55-hour weekend closures are anticipated. A future schedule is forthcoming, Caltrans said.

"Be advised that the availability of alternate routes within this area of SR 74 my change —meaning, the construction zone will change nightly resulting in some areas not having access to Orange County or Lake Elsinore, and vice versa," Caltrans reported.

"Use caution and expect delays during construction hours. Law enforcement will be on the scene to assist with traffic control. Remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone. Be advised, the weather may affect construction schedule," the agency continued.

The shutdowns are due to ongoing construction work as part of the $49 million state Route 74 lane widening project.

Patch Staffer Toni McCallister contributed to this report.