Company:

County of Orange

Status:

Awarded

Awarded:

Roadway & Highway Project of the Year

Additional Files

Additional Information

Cow Camp Road Extension (Phase 2B)

Project Location:

San Juan Capistrano, California

Project Description:

Michael Baker International led the planning and design efforts to extend Cow Camp Road (Phase 2B) from Gobernadora Canyon to the east. This work was a continuation of Michael Baker’s role in developing the backbone infrastructure for Rancho Mission Viejo, the 14,000-unit master planned community in southern Orange County.

Phase 2B is a six-lane, divided roadway that extended Cow Camp Roadway into the newest Planning Area (Rienda). The project included the design of four intersections (two signalized); an on-street Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) lane and off-street multi-use path; several stormwater and water quality basins (regional and local roadway drainage), approximately 1.4M cy of earthwork; relocation and preservation of several live oak trees within the roadway median; significant utility work including the relocation of regional transmission and local distribution lines; as well as new gas, sanitary sewer, domestic and recycled water, cable television/internet and phone lines.

The construction cost of this project was $30M.

Project Justification:

This nearly one-mile section of Cow Camp Road is the latest phase in furthering the connection that will ultimately extend Cow Camp Road from Antonio Parkway to Ortega Highway (State Route 74). The successful completion of Phase 2B was not only critical to the development of Planning Area 3 (PA3), but also to providing a safe and reliable transportation route for local residents and regional motorists.

Special Circumstances:

Given the importance of this high-profile project for all southern Orange County, Michael Baker collaborated closely with the developer of the project, Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC, along with Orange County Public Works Department, Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), other regulatory agencies and utility companies.

Project Attachments:

The Cow Camp Road Design, phases 1A & 1B of this project, received the 2015 Geotechnical Project of the Year and Structural Engineering Project of the Year from ASCE Orange County.

The Cow Camp Road Bridge over Gobernadora Canyon, also part of this project, has won multiple awards, including the 2019 Project of the Year from ASCE Orange County, the 2020 Bridge Project of the Year from ASCE Los Angeles, and a 2020 Engineering Excellence Merit Award from ACEC California.

Award Citation::

Michael Baker International led planning and design efforts to extend Cow Camp Road (Phase 2B) from Gobernadora Canyon to the east, the latest phase of the firm’s continuing role in developing the backbone infrastructure for Rancho Mission Viejo, a master planned community in southern Orange County. The project will ultimately extend Cow Camp Road from Antonio Parkway to Ortega Highway, critical to providing a safe and reliable transportation route for local residents and regional motorists.

Suggested Award Summary:

Michael Baker International led the planning and design efforts to extend Cow Camp Road (Phase 2B) from Gobernadora Canyon to the east. This work was a continuation of Michael Baker’s role in developing the backbone infrastructure for Rancho Mission Viejo, the 14,000-unit master planned community in southern Orange County. This nearly one-mile section of Cow Camp Road is the latest phase in furthering the connection that will ultimately extend Cow Camp Road from Antonio Parkway to Ortega Highway (State Route 74). Completion of Phase 2B is critical to the development of Planning Area 3 (PA3), and to providing a safe and reliable transportation route for local residents and regional motorists.

Phase 2B is a six-lane, divided roadway that extended Cow Camp Roadway into the newest Planning Area (Rienda). The project included the design of four intersections (two signalized); an on-street Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) lane and off-street multi-use path; several stormwater and water quality basins (regional and local roadway drainage), approximately 1.4M cy of earthwork; relocation and preservation of several live oak trees within the roadway median; significant utility work including the relocation of regional transmission and local distribution lines; as well as new gas, sanitary sewer, domestic and recycled water, cable television/internet and phone lines.

Given the importance of this high-profile project for all southern Orange County, Michael Baker collaborated closely with the developer of the project: Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC, along with Orange County Public Works Department, Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), other regulatory agencies and utility companies.