MISSION VIEJO

An influx of nearly $540,000 in state transportation funds will help keep traffic moving through the city. Council members are expected to use some of the money to buy traffic cameras for use along Interstate 5 at the El Toro Road and Lake Forest exits. The cameras are part of a municipal program called Intelligent Transportation Systems, which includes cameras already on I-5 and other freeway exits in Mission Viejo. These will supplement nine traffic detectors that will be placed along Muirlands Boulevard.

A communications system will be installed to link the cameras and detectors to computer systems in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Caltrans District 12 offices. When finished, the system will coordinate traffic signals on Muirlands Boulevard between Lake Forest Drive and La Paz Road. The high-tech project, which will cost about $260,000, is designed to improve traffic flow along Muirlands when there are major traffic snarls on I-5.