Newport Road Realignment Update
I got some more information on the Newport Road realignment project after speaking with George Wentz, our city manager. Wenzt has been talki...
http://www.menifee247.com/2008/10/newport-road-realignment-update.htm
I got some more information on the Newport Road realignment project after speaking with George Wentz, our city manager.
Wenzt has been talking with Juan Perez with the county transportation department, and with the developer of Audie Murphy Ranch to come up with a way to improve traffic flow along Newport Rd and Goetz Rd, at least on temporary basis.
Refer to the diagram below.
Click to see larger image (opens new window)
The plan works like this...
Wentz said they are working a revised plan that will actually extend Normandy Rd into the realigned Newport Rd, so that we won't have to take Berea Rd. But this isn't final.
Apparently, the city has enough TUMF funds to put this "temporary solution" in place, and therefore, is moving forward on it. At very earliest, we might see this in place within six months.
If put in place, it will remain that way for about 2 or 3 years, maybe even longer, at least until the city collects enough money to make all roads bidirectional, or if the developer decides Audie Murphy Ranch is economically feasible to continue building.
Since this plan only makes the realigned Newport Rd one-way, I asked Wentz why not just leave the existing traffic flow untouched as it is now, until they have the money to make it bidirectional. He said that he thinks this temporary plan illustrated above will actually improve traffic from what we have now.
I think for most of Menifee, this plan will work fine, except for those people who live in the Menifee Hills development (off of La Ladera Rd). For them, if they're coming from the I-15, they won't be able to take Goetz Rd to Normandy Rd. Instead, they'll have to take realigned Newport Rd to Berea Rd, and head west on Normandy Rd. It's more of a pain, but not still not a long drive.
Wenzt has been talking with Juan Perez with the county transportation department, and with the developer of Audie Murphy Ranch to come up with a way to improve traffic flow along Newport Rd and Goetz Rd, at least on temporary basis.
Refer to the diagram below.
Click to see larger image (opens new window)
The plan works like this...
- The existing Newport Rd will be renamed to Normandy Road, and will run both ways, eastbound and westbound.
- The realigned portion of Newport Rd will run one-way, heading eastbound. If you're coming from the I-15, you can take this road into Menifee.
- The Goetz Rd bridge will only accomodate southbound traffic. It will no longer support northbound traffic. This is because in order to open up the realigned Newport Rd, the bridge would have to be totally rebuilt, and there isn't enough money for that right now.
- The existing Goetz Rd will run southbound from Normandy Rd to the realigned Newport Rd. However, it will run northbound only from the Canyon Lake East Gate on up.
- Normandy Rd will end at Berea Rd. You'll have to jump on Berea Rd, and then turn on the realigned Newport Rd to get into Menifee.
Wentz said they are working a revised plan that will actually extend Normandy Rd into the realigned Newport Rd, so that we won't have to take Berea Rd. But this isn't final.
Apparently, the city has enough TUMF funds to put this "temporary solution" in place, and therefore, is moving forward on it. At very earliest, we might see this in place within six months.
If put in place, it will remain that way for about 2 or 3 years, maybe even longer, at least until the city collects enough money to make all roads bidirectional, or if the developer decides Audie Murphy Ranch is economically feasible to continue building.
Since this plan only makes the realigned Newport Rd one-way, I asked Wentz why not just leave the existing traffic flow untouched as it is now, until they have the money to make it bidirectional. He said that he thinks this temporary plan illustrated above will actually improve traffic from what we have now.
I think for most of Menifee, this plan will work fine, except for those people who live in the Menifee Hills development (off of La Ladera Rd). For them, if they're coming from the I-15, they won't be able to take Goetz Rd to Normandy Rd. Instead, they'll have to take realigned Newport Rd to Berea Rd, and head west on Normandy Rd. It's more of a pain, but not still not a long drive.
Looks like you XXXed out the portion of old road coming from Menifee. How do we go West out of Menifee to I-15 if that portion is closed. Maybe I'm missing something.
ReplyDeleteTo get to I-15, you'll have to take Newport Rd to Berea Rd to Normandy Rd to Goetz Rd.
ReplyDeleteHowever like I said above, George Wentz says they trying to work out a plan that connect Normandy to Newport, so that you won't have to use Berea Rd. But I can't tell you if that will actually happen.
So now the entire neighborhood in Menifee Hills seems to be completely excluded from the rest of the city? Or am I reading this wrong? So now a basic trip down to Stater Bros will include another 10 minutes of driving when we consider lights and/or traffic of any kind... why are we even changing what is currently in place? I say if they can't do right the first time, don't do it at all!!
ReplyDeleteWhy waste 3 to 4 million...this makes no sense???
ReplyDeleteNot only SB but what about people who take there kids to MVMS everday now that we cant aford the bus systyem. So what is alrady at least a 40 min round trip could taker a hour!!
ReplyDeleteThis plan has too many turns, too many traffic stops, lets wait till we get east/westbound going on Newport rd. Lets do it right.
ReplyDeleteI say, we wait until we 'the city' can come up with all the funds and then work on this project. Dont spend the little money (millions $$) we have now for a quick-fix when we have to come back and re-do it all over again and waste all the tax-payers' money. Who is complaining anyways? It's alot simpler now with the existing road, just use the money for something else like sidewalks around our schools to make it safer for our children. City Council - you need to set your priorities better (how to serve the people of Menifee) or else - I will run against you and your not going to like that.
ReplyDeleteIf we have to wait two to three years to MAYBE get all done right, why not go after the bond money and DEFINITELY get it all done right. The difference in time to wait is negligible and that is $7 million owed to us for prematurely stopping work. I live in Menifee Hills and am willing to wait for a job done right, not some half-a**ed mickey mouse job in 6 months. Come on city council pull your head out of your “you know what” and don’t waste what little money we do have to benefit the developer who stopped work on this project in the first place. We are watching you city council and mayor. Now go do the right the thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that difficult people. If you are coming from Murrieta Road and want to get to the I15, you take Normandy (old Newport)to Goetz, go Left. If you are coming from the I15 and want to get to Menifee, you take the new Newport Rd. to Berea, then to the Old Newport Rd. and go Left or Right depending on where you live. If you live off La Ladera, you can go right or left on Old Newport Rd.(Normandy). So getting to the middle school is going to be the same. Look at the map.
ReplyDeleteMost of us understand the plan, we just think it is stupid and a waste of money. Do it right the first or don't do it at all.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that I'm not the only one who thinks 'spending the 3 to 4 mill.' is such a "great idea"...let's take a stand on this Menifee-ins!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere do we start...sign me up...NO REalignment for Newport the WRONG WAY!!! here here....
To me this plan sucks, i'm in the quail valley area, for me to get back from the 15 which my wife and I need EVERY day for work, We have to take a long way around to get home. Yes getting to the 15 is the same but coming back sucks. yes it may be only an extra mile or 2 but thats an extra mile or two i don't need to do now...good thing gas is cheap....NOT! Lets do this the right way and save the money or keep traffic both ways on goetz.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Do it right the first time. I thought that the first time I read this before there were comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, Steve.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea: why not keep the road as is, except open the realignment part so that people traveling toward the 215 from there can take it like an off ramp from Newport? Has this been discussed? Seems like a good short term solution to me that will utilize what's there, free up traffic around the detour area at crunch time and still allow people who want to take Goetz to do so. What does everyone think? I can't think of a down side to this.
I totally agree with Jeff! I couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteJeff, you are the MAN!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jeff!!! Bavo!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeff too-why does everyone have to "over-engineer" everything. KISS!(keep iot simple stupid) Just keep old Newport the way it is till they can do it right. Even if we have to close off the newer road. Fix the corners at Newport and Murrieta and let everyone get to work!
ReplyDeleteYou could always take Holland that turns into a dirt road adventure over to canyon lake...but not too many of ya knew that one!!! Becareful, your car will get dirty and watch your tires there are a lot of sharp rocks...
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking Jeff.
ReplyDeleteBut, this is why it won't be instituted - it makes SENSE.
Can't have any of that, can we?
I contacted Mr. Perez at the transportation dept today by email after calling his office and talking to his assistant, Debbie. I explained my idea to him in the email and to her on the phone, hopefully, it will be seriously considered, but I'll bet if they hear from more than just me they will consider it more seriously. His email address is: jcperez@rctlma.org.
ReplyDeleteI would also contact our city council. I know Steve has contact info somewhere on the site. Steve, can you direct me (us) to that info? Not sure where to look.
Thanks again for this forum.
Burning Down the House
The council's contact info is here...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cityofmenifee.us/.
But this is actually the job of the City Manager, George Wentz.
I agree that we should not utilize more spending than is necessary. I, too, am from the newly developed Quail Valley area and have children in the new school. It seems very inconvenient to make our community and that of La Ladera go around the entire community to get home from the I-15. Leave it alone until we can do it right. I do not enjoy the thought of a detour for the next 2-3 years. That dangerous curve is already a nuisance!
ReplyDeleteNot only SB but what about people who take there kids to MVMS everday now that we cant aford the bus systyem. So what is alrady at least a 40 min round trip could taker a hour!!
ReplyDeleteBased on the info here, I think if you do the math on what it costs you to drive your kids to school vs. the cost of a yearly bus pass, you'll find the bus pass is cheaper. It was for us when our kids were attending Menifee Elementary. If you're sitting in traffic for 40 minutes, you're burning a lot of gas going nowhere, and the more people that do that, the worse the traffic gets.
Don't know your exact situation, but the bus is running no matter what, and if you take the plunge and buy an annual bus pass it's cheaper.
I got a response from Juan Perez at the transportation dept today saying that they have been talking recently about similar ideas as what I proposed above. I'll keep you posted if I receive any more contact from anyone involved.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Steve.
Knowing that we have a new city and understanding the state of construction with majior declines, I still have to ask when are we going to have Murrieta Rd and the intersection of Newport Rd cleaned - up and brought back to a clean finished neighborhood. It is looking like we have crossed into a thired world or combat zone. this is not acceptable... Thank you,
ReplyDeleteLet this go back to the original state and come up with a better plan.. how about high end horse ranches and riding trials... not 10,000 tract homes ... you'll still get the tax dollars... clean up the mess along Murrieta Road.. get rid of the damaged chain link fencing.. REMEMBER you have been elected to serve the people not the big $$$ telling you what they are going to do for your city.. get this cleaned up alot of $$$ has been paid into the tump fees get it and fix it.. or we will get people in office who will...
ReplyDeleteLook is no one here able to see how to solve this problem. I mean it's just common sence. Allow traffic to flow as normal to Quail Valley and Menifee Hills via Normandy and open up the eastbound lanes of Newport for people teaveling to Menifee/Sun city. Then build the new bridge crossing the creek and open that protion, finnally build the bridge that connects the westbound portion so no one has to make a two mile trip around. It's simple, find a way to get the money and just do it. Does anyone realise that we have already been waiting for over three years? This project was suppoed be last eight months.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what road Is open the tumble weeds are going to cause havoc when they dry up and the wind starts blowing. I wonder how many accidents they will cause? That area Is a mess, looks like Poe Dunk West Texas (sorry West Texas).
ReplyDeleteNow that Menifee is a city, if a resident wishes to apply for a business license, where does he apply? At the City Hall on Hub Road? Or do they still have to go through Riverside County to apply for the license? If anyone knows, please advise? Thank you. Am seeking to apply for a small business license and live in Mennifee, but don't know where/how to apply. Thanks for any advice.
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: I have been in contact with Juan Perez, the Riverside County Director of Transportation on the Newport Realignment project and he sent me this response by email recently:
ReplyDelete"The solution that the Cities of Menifee, Canyon Lake, and the County are working on will keep Goetz Road for two-way traffic north of the connection to the new Newport Road alignment, so there won't be any detour for residents of Quail Valley. The new portion of Newport that will be opened up will be additional lanes for eastbound traffic only. Feel free to contact Hugh Smith in our office if you would like to discuss this further."
I also copied George Wentz, Hugh Smith and Patricia Romo on the response to this email. You might want to call Mr. Perez and Mr. Wentz to encourage them in this solution and thank them for their sensitivity and responsiveness to public opinion and ideas. I did.
Steve, let me know if you need to verify this as I received it through a personal email exchange with Mr. Perez, et al.
WELL LETS SEE: IT'S NOW 12/24/09, THE LAST POST WAS 02/04/09. NEWPORT ROAD/ AND GETZ ROAD ARE THE SAME, 10 MONTHS LATER. LETS SEE, I BELIEVE THERE IS ONLY 12 MONTHS IN A YEAR- RIGHT! SO MUCH FOR THE 6 MOS. NOW CAN ANYONE UPDATE THIS OR ARE WE GOING FOR TRIPLE NOTHING?
ReplyDeleteThe Friday Flyer has an update on the Newport Rd realignment, saying construction will begin March 2010, and be completed around June 2010...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2009-12-4/FFS-13248.htm
I am thrilled they are going to be able to complete the project as originally planned. Lets hope it gets done in the timeframe they are saying it will be done in.
ReplyDeleteYep, I think us in Quail Valley are being forgotten about.My husband takes Railroad home everyday from already a long commute. And I frequently use Railroad to get to the 15. This sounds ridiculous to me.
ReplyDeletei drove on it tonight! :)))
ReplyDeleteGod told me to go straight through Newport when i was on railroad canyon. I thought "how is that possible? but ok!" to my surprise there was a sign and an opening! it was so nice!!!
I shared a verse earlier tonight the same time my friend was thinking of it: "Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your path straight" usually we say that's "weird" "luck" or "random" when God does something cool in our life. start praising Him and watch Him make your life straight :) career, relationships, finances, life, and most importantly eternity :)
acknowledge Jesus as Lord and He will take you go straight to heaven after this short life, instead of going down the wrong road :P
in love <3
I didn't know God was that concerned with traffic in Menifee. Good to know.
ReplyDelete