Workshops to Explain Dynamics of Toll Road

City officials have set three public workshops to help residents cope with the opening of part of the Eastern toll road.

A 17-mile segment of the roadway, connecting the Riverside Freeway near Gypsum Canyon Road to Interstate 5 near Sand Canyon Avenue, will open Oct. 18.

A western leg, which connects Chapman Avenue near Orange to Walnut Avenue in Irvine, is set to open in January.

“The city is sponsoring these workshops so the community can understand how they can use the new road to benefit their commute to work or recreation,” Mayor Joanne Coontz said.

Both city officials and representatives of the Transportation Corridor Agencies will be on hand to answer questions about the road and how to handle increased traffic on city streets.

The free workshops:

* 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in Room D101 of Santiago College, 8045 E. Chapman Ave., Orange.

* 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the auditorium of Linda Vista School, 1200 N. Cannon St., Orange.

* 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the cafetorium of Villa Park High School, 18042 Taft Ave., Villa Park. Information: (714) 513-3411.