Flooding, 'mud roads': Part of life when it rains in Menifee

The dirt intersection of Briggs Road and Matthews Road -- a bumpy but well-traveled shortcut from the Heritage Lake community to Heritage High School -- was once again a muddy mess for cars that had to maneuver past large pools of water on Wednesday. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Menifee drivers were given a bit of a break Wednesday as rain showers were light, but forecasts call for heavier rain the next two days -- which means once again the danger of flooding and dirt roads that turn to mud.

Drivers are reminded of the dangers of traveling on the area's many dirt roads during or after heavy rains. Motorists heading from the Heritage Lake community north toward Heritage High School encountered a quagmire where Briggs Road connects with Matthews Road at the abandoned railroad tracks where the pavement ends. The road is passable in the mud between two large pools of water, but things may get worse in the next few days.

One of the biggest areas of concern when it rains hard in Menifee is the stretch of Bradley Road north of Newport Road where it crosses Salt Creek (left). That normally dry creek bed filled up and flooded the road during a storm last month, but the road was dry on Wednesday.

Road improvement projects are planned at both locations, but like many other projects in the city, motorists must continue to wait for them.

According to Jonathan Smith, director of Public Works for the City of Menifee, the intersection of Briggs Road and Matthews Road road will eventually be paved, but the project is still in the planning stages and involves two other parties.

Smith said the intersection is the responsibility of developer CalAtlantic, which has built many homes in the Heritage Lake area. CalAtlantic is processing an agreement with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority that will permit them to improve the railroad crossing and intersection, he said.

No timetable for those road improvements has been announced.

Regarding Salt Creek, a 30-day period for the public to review documents prior to the construction of a low bridge on Bradley Road concluded Thursday. A final environmental document incorporating public input will now be prepared for consideration by officials in charge of the contract. Plans and final design must then be approved before construction can begin, estimated to be sometime in 2018.