CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:South traffic study planned

A study to examine long-term solutions to traffic congestion in South Orange County was approved Monday by the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

The $1.2 million South County Major Investment Study is the first comprehensive examination of the area's needs in more than 20 years, officials said. The study will explore improvements to all forms of transportation, including freeways, toll roads, arterial streets and rail and bus service.

The study will lead to developing a long-term strategy for improving transportation in South Orange County over the next 25 years. The study area includes 14 cities, including Laguna Beach, and unincorporated county land that is bounded by the Costa Mesa Freeway in the north, Santiago Canyon Road and the Cleveland National Forest in the east, west to Pacific Coast Highway and south to the county line.

The initial set of alternatives will be refined during the next several months as the agency seeks input from the public, local policy makers, planning and environmental engineers. A preferred set of alternatives is expected to come before the board by spring 2008.

Possible projects range from freeway widening, adding lanes on the toll roads and improved interchanges, to "Smart Streets," increased Metrolink trains and connector service.

Residents can participate in the study by filling out an online survey about South County's transportation needs at www.octa.net/socmis.

Legion, veteran Memorial Day Ceremony set

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony May 28 in remembrance of all their comrades who died in all the wars and conflicts protecting the U.S.

The ceremony will take place at Monument Point in Heisler Park at 11 a.m. sharp. The keynote speaker will be Assemblyman Chuck DeVore.

In addition, the Marine firing detail from Camp Pendleton will provide a 21-gun salute. Music, from Larry Wohrman of Diamond DJ's Entertainment Company, will begin at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to come early, as seating is limited. For more information, call Richard Moore at (949) 376-6340 or Dave Connell at (949) 494-2065.