Octa's transportation blog

I-5 South County Improvements Project Makes Progress

The I-5 South County Improvements Project is making significant progress, with work on the longest segment of the project – from Avenida Vista Hermosa to Camino de Estrella – wrapping up by the end of April.

Crews are laying final, permanent striping, installing landscaping and closing out a few miscellaneous items on the segment, which is part of a $230 million project to extend the carpool lane in each direction from San Juan Capistrano to San Clemente and reconstruct the Avenida Pico interchange. Construction on the project began in early 2014 and is set to finish in early 2018.

During the final year of the project, motorists can expect to see several milestones, including:

May 2017: I-5/PCH interchange

Most of the work on ramps and the new lanes through the I-5/PCH interchange will be completed. Southbound traffic will be shifted away from the median; northbound traffic was shifted in late March. The traffic shift will allow crews to turn their attention to the median, where the barrier will be demolished and rebuilt on a new alignment. The median work also includes installing drainage systems and new overhead signs.

Mid-2017: Freeway Overpass above Avenida Pico

The second half of the freeway overpass above Avenida Pico is expected to be completed. Traffic won’t be shifted onto the structure until the end of the year because it needs to settle, and additional roadway work must be performed.

Summer 2017: Avenida Pico

Crews will begin work to widen and realign Avenida Pico beneath the overpass.

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