Efforts to improve one of the most heavily traveled freeway segments in the nation will continue to move forward following recent decisions by Caltrans. On July 25, Caltrans informed OCTA that the I-405 Improvement Project should include the Measure M commitment of one regular lane in each direction and add high-occupancy toll lanes at a later date.
The I-405 Project area lies between State Route 73 (SR-73) in Costa Mesa and Interstate 605 (I-605) in Seal Beach. This stretch carries more than 370,000 cars a day and that number is expected to increase approximately 35 percent by 2040.
Under the Caltrans plan, OCTA will construct the Measure M project consisting of one general-purpose lane in each direction. The final environmental document is expected to be finished early next year. Based on that schedule and utilizing the design-build method of construction to add one lane in each direction, OCTA’s project would get under way in 2016 and be completed in 2020.
Caltrans intends to pursue funding for the high-occupancy toll lanes that will be added to help speed up commutes. As the ultimate owner and operator of the state highway system, Caltrans has the final decision on the project alternative. In making its recommendation, Caltrans noted that this project alternative provides long-term sustainable congestion relief by moving the most people per hour and offering trip reliability. Caltrans also said it provides the best travel-time savings to those who utilize the I-405 in the project area and throughout Orange County and the region.
OCTA and Caltrans have devoted more than a decade of study, public outreach and environmental review to determine ways to improve the I-405. To learn more about the three project alternatives that resulted from these efforts and about the I-405 Project, click here.
