California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Route 133

As defined in 1963, Route 133 ran from "Route 1 near Laguna Beach to Route 5 near Irvine.".

In 1966, it was announced that the expansion of Route 133 to four lanes from I-5 south tying into the planned I-405 interchange and Laguna Canyon Road was budgeted for the 1967-68 Fiscal Year. By 1969, the completed Route 133/I-405 interchange and four lane alignment of Route 133 between I-5 south to I-405 was showing on state highway maps.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 133", 1/7/2022)

The first segment of the Laguna Freeway opened in 1970.

State Shield During 1986, the Transportation Corridors Agencies (TCA) of Orange County were created. Corridors governed by the TCA included: the Eastern Transportation Corridor, Foothill Transportation Corridor and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor. 1987 Legislative Chapter 1413 allowed for transportation corridors to be constructed by way of toll funds. The Eastern Transportation Corridor was assigned as Route 231, and was originally defined as "Route 5 near the border of the Cities of Tustin and Irvine to Route 91." At this point, the TCA routes were Route 231 (I-5 near Tustin/Irvine to Route 91 roughly along Jamboree Road) and Route 241 (I-5 near San Clemente to Route 231 near Santiago Canyon Road (County Sign Route S18) near Irvine Lake). Route 133 was not part of the TCA system.

State Shield Transportation Corridor In 1991, Route 133 was connected to the TCA system, bringing changes to the route definitions. SB 732, Chapter 775 created a new definition of Route 261 as “Route 5 near the border of the Cities of Tustin and Irvine to Route 231”, using a routing transferred from former Route 231. Route 231 was changed to run from the end of Route 133 at I-5 to Route 91. No change was required to the definition of Route 133, as it already ended at I-5. Route 241 was truncated to run from the Route 231/Route 241 junction near Bee Canyon and Limestone Canyon Park to I-5. The legislative definition of Route 241 didn't need to change, as the western end remained Route 231.

State Shield Transportation Corridor In 1996, Route 133 brought further changes. Chapter 1154 clarified the origin of Route 261 as “Walnut Avenue in the City of Irvine” (Walnut Avenue and Jamboree) and changed the end to Route 241, reflecting an extension of Route 241 along the what had been Route 231 to Route 91. The portion of Route 231 between Route 241 and I-5 was dropped, and Route 133 was extended to take over the former portion of Route 231 between Laguna Canyon and Route 241 when Chapter 1154 extended Route 133 to terminate at Route 241. This extension came from a transfer of a portion of former Route 231. This likely reflected a decision by Caltrans that a toll and a free road could have the same number (see Route 73), so Route 231 only served to confuse drivers.

In 2020, Chapter 126 authorized the relinquishment to the City of Laguna Beach the portion of Route 133 that is located from Route 1 to El Toro Road by adding section 433.1:

. (a) Upon the commission determining that it is in the best interests of the state to do so, the commission may, upon terms and conditions it approves, relinquish to the City of Laguna Beach the portion of Route 133 that is located from Route 1 to El Toro Road if the department and the City of Laguna Beach enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment.
(b) A relinquishment under this section shall become effective on the date following the county recorder’s recordation of the relinquishment resolution containing the commission’s approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment.
(c) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, all of the following shall occur:
1. (1) The relinquished portion of Route 133 shall cease to be a state highway.
2. (2) The relinquished portion of Route 133 shall be ineligible for future adoption under Section 81.
3. (3) The City of Laguna Beach shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 133, including, but not limited to, any traffic signal progression.
4. (4) For the relinquished portion of Route 133, the City of Laguna Beach shall maintain signs within its jurisdiction directing motorists to the continuation of Route 133.

The portion of the route between Route 5 and Route 241 is a toll road. This route is the east leg of the Eastern Transportation corridor. It connects the Foothill Transportation Corridor (Route 241) with the Laguna (Route 133) Freeway just south of I-5.

El Toro Realignment

Rte 133 El Toro Realignment In October 2015, the CTC approved the following SHOPP funding: 12-Ora-133 3.1/3.6 Route 133 In Laguna Beach, from 1700 feet south to 1300 feet north of El Toro Road. Extend lanes in both directions. PAED: 02/01/17 R/W: 04/30/18 RTL: 05/31/18 CCA: 09/01/20 Costs: $1,230K (R/W); $3,870K (C). Completion FY17/18. Support costs: PA & ED $1,215K; PS & E $1,820K; RW Sup $550K; Con Sup $1,306K; Total $4,891K.

In October 2017, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project, located in Orange County (12-Ora-133, PM 3.1/3.6), that proposes to extend the north and southbound acceleration lanes on Route 133 and re-align the El Toro Road westbound turn lane in the city of Laguna Beach. The project is fully funded and programmed in the 2016 SHOPP for $9,991,000. The project is estimated to begin construction in Fiscal Year 202-21. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2016 SHOPP.
(Source: CTC October 2017 Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

The following project was included in the final adopted 2018 SHOPP in March 2018: PPNO 12-Orange-133 3.1/3.6. On Route 133, In Laguna Beach, from 1,700 feet south to 1,300 feet north of El Toro Road. Extend lanes in both directions. Begin Con: 2/5/2021. Total Project Cost: $12,956K.

In December 2018, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project located on Route 133 in Laguna Beach in Orange County. The project proposes to improve safety at the Route 133/El Toro intersection and improve drainage flow at the intersection. The project proposes to widen existing shoulders and provide bike lanes. The proposed project is estimated to cost approximately $41.1 million. This project is funded through the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP) and the County of Orange and is currently programmed in the 2018 SHOPP for approximately $21.4 million. Construction is estimated to begin in 2021. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2018 SHOPP.
(Source: December 2018 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.2c(1))

In May 2019, the CTC approved the following SHOPP Amendment 12-Ora-133 3.1/3.6 PPNO 4793 ProjID 1213000097. On Route 133 In Laguna Beach, from 1,700 feet south to 1,300 feet north of El Toro Road. Extend lanes in both directions. Increase R/W to $2,064; total to $13,790K. Note: Due to refinements made during the design process, R/W capital is increasing because of additional acquisition costs and permit fees.
(Source: May 2019 Agenda Item 2.1c.(1) Amend Item 79)

In October 2020, the CTC approved the following SHOPP Construction Phase allocation: $7,521,000 for Orange 12-Ora-133 PM 3.2/3.6. PPNO 12-4793 ProjID 1213000097 EA 0N060. Route 133 in Laguna Beach, from 0.2 mile south to 0.2 mile north of El Toro Road. Outcome/Output: Improve safety by extending the merge lanes in the northbound and southbound directions. This project will reduce the number and severity of collisions. Con Eng $2,109,000; Const $6,032,000. (CEQA - MND, 10/1/2018; Re-validation 6/5/2020) (NEPA - CE, 10/1/2018; Re-validation 6/5/2020) (Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-17-66; October 2017.)
(Source: October 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(1) #27)

In February 2013, it was reported that during a highway-widening project in California’s Laguna Canyon, scientists identified several new species of early toothed baleen whales. Paleontologist Meredith Rivin of the John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center in Fullerton, California, presented the finds at the 2013 annual meeting of AAAS. The Laguna Canyon outcrop, excavated between 2000 and 2005, turned out to be a treasure trove containing hundreds of marine mammals that lived 17 million to 19 million years ago. It included 30 cetacean skulls as well as an abundance of other ocean dwellers such as sharks. Among those finds were four newly identified species of toothed baleen whale—a type of whale that scientists thought had gone extinct 5 million years earlier.
(Source: ScienceNow, 2/17/13)

In January 2011, the CTC relinquished right of way in the city of Irvine along Route 133 at Laguna Canyon Road, consisting of collateral facilities.

In June 2001, the CTC considered a proposal to adopt a routing for Route 133 from ORA 4.1 at Route 73 to ORA 8.1 0.3mi S of I-405. This was part of an eventual project to widen the 2-lane highway to 4-lanes. As part of this project, Route 133 was rerouted in July/August 2004. Caltrans launched the project in January 2003, focusing on a four-mile section between the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (Route 73) and the San Diego Freeway (I-405). The road, built in the early 1900s, carries 29,000 cars a day. When construction was completed in 2006, the roadway was less curvy, have a new drainage system and have two lanes in each direction. The lanes opened fully in October 2006. The $32 million project on the northern half of the road involved rerouted around two lakes, which will eliminate flooding during the rainy season. It also has wider shoulders and a center median. Crews built four trail and wildlife crossings that will promote wildlife access between open-space areas east and west of the road. Utility lines are now underground, and there is a new bike lane. There are 29,000 cars that use the road each day in 2006; in 2020, that number will swell to 32,000 to 56,000 cars a day. The road was originally a stagecoach route.

405-to-5 Auxillary Lane (12-Orange-133 PM 8.3/M9.3)

The following project was included in the final adopted 2018 SHOPP in March 2018: PPNO 4846. 12-Orange-133 8.5/M9.3. Route 133 In Irvine, from southbound I-5/SB Route 133 Connector to southbound Route 133/NB I-405 Connector. Construct a new auxiliary lane to improve traffic flow. Begin Con: 3/1/2022. Total Project Cost: $25,102K.

The 2020 SHOPP, approved in May 2020, included the following Mobility item of interest (carried over from the 2018 SHOPP): 12-Orange-133 PM 8.5/M9.3 PPNO 4846 Proj ID 1214000130 EA 0N890. Route 133 in Irvine, from SB I-5/SB Route 133 Connector to southbound Route 133/NB I-405 Connector. Construct a new auxiliary lane to improve traffic flow. Programmed in FY21-22, with construction scheduled to start at the end of March 2022. Total project cost is $26,808K, with $16,885K being capital (const and right of way) and $9,923K being support (engineering, environmental, etc.).
(Source: 2020 Approved SHOPP a/o May 2020)

In May 2020, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding for the Route 133 Operation Improvements Project (12-Ora-133, PM 8.3/9.3), which will construct a new auxiliary lane on southbound Route 133 in Orange County. (PPNO 4846). The project is located in the City of Irvine in Orange County and proposes to construct a new auxiliary lane on Route 133 from the North Bound (NB) I-405 connector to the South Bound (SB) I-5 connector. This new auxiliary lane will become the second lane on the NB Interstate 405 connector. This project is currently programmed in the SHOPP for $25,102,000, which includes Construction (capital and support) and Right of Way (capital and support). The total estimated project cost is $182,298,000. Construction is estimated to begin 2021-2022. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2018 SHOPP.
(Source: May 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

In May 2020, the CTC approved the following allocation: 12-Ora-133 8.5/M9.3. PPNO 4846 ProjID 1214000130 EA 0N890. Route 133 In Irvine, from southbound I-5/SB Route 133 Connector to southbound Route 133/NB I-405 Connector. Construct a new auxiliary lane to improve traffic flow. Allocation: PS&E $3,224,000; R/W Support $652,000.
(Source: May 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2) #32)

In June 2021, the CTC approved the following SHOPP amendment: 12-Ora-133 ~~8.5/M9.3~~ 8.3/M9.3 PPNO 4846 ProjID 1214000130 EA 12-0N890. Route 133 In Irvine, from 0.1 mile south of Route 405 to Route 5 ~~southbound I-5/SB Route 133 Connector to southbound Route 133/NB I-405 Connector~~. Construct a new auxiliary lane to improve traffic flow. Note: Increase project limits to accommodate temporary construction signs. Increase construction capital because longitudinal cracking in lane three means that the pavement will need to be rehabilitated. Adjust performance precision from previously rounded amount. Revised numbers: Const Cap $16,632K ⇒ $18,232K; Total $26,808K ⇒ $28,408K.
(Source: June 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(2d) #56)

The 2020 Capital Improvement Plan for the TCA includes a study for the potential for a new interchange on the Route 133 Toll Road at Great Park Boulevard (Trabuco Road) (~ ORA 10.869). The intent of this new access is to alleviate traffc demand at the nearby Sand Canyon Avenue/I-5 interchange. Preparation of a PSR-PDS document is underway by Five Points Communities. F/ETCA, as a stakeholder, is coordinating with Five Points Communities and the City of Irvine as the project development process continues. A traffc and revenue study is being conducted by F/ETCA to understand the traffic associated with the proposed interchange and any changes in traffc volumes on The Toll Roads.
(Source: 2020 Fiscal Capital Improvement Plan, 6/13/2019)