Alton Parkway Opens Wednesday

Mere days stand between drivers and the chance to cruise the extended Alton Parkway roadway, which now stretches from Foothill Ranch to Irvine.

City and county officials will host a public ribbon-cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Wednesday in Lake Forest at the end of Commercentre Drive, west of Bake Parkway, to announce the extension's official opening.

All of Alton Parkway will open for vehicles mid-afternoon Wednesday, after the morning's celebration.

The 2.1-mile roadway unites Lake Forest's portion of Alton Parkway to its Irvine segment. Lake Forest partnered with the county to pay for the construction of the project, putting in $7.7 million and $20.2 million, respectively.

The Alton extension connects the 241 toll road and the 5 freeway. Its opening Wednesday is expected to improve traffic conditions in those areas. 

It stretches from Irvine Boulevard in Irvine to Towne Centre Drive in Foothill Ranch. At the moment, the Irvine portion—from the city to Lake Forest's Commercentre Drive—is a six-lane, divided road.

From Commercentre Drive to Foothill Ranch segment is four lanes, with grading to accommodate a six-lane highway which will go in later in conjunction with new housing developments.

Those expected to attend the two-hour opening ceremony include Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates, Supervisor Bill Campbell, Lake Forest City Manager Robert Dunek, Lake Forest Mayor Kathryn McCullough, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Shea Homes President Bob Yoder and Sukut Construction President Mike Crawford. 

"The closure of the 2.1 mile gap in this major arterial will reduce commute times for many residents and allow them more time with their families,” Campbell said in a statement.

The road segment is part of a transportation plan developed in 1988 by the county in partnership with major landowners in southeastern Orange County.

"The completion of the extension creates a vital linkage in South Orange County, connecting communities and improving overall regional mobility,” Bates said.

The city of Irvine, Shea/Baker Ranch Associates, the United States Navy, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Irvine Ranch Water District collaborated with Lake Forest and the county on the project.