Local and state officials gathered April 16 to commemorate completion of the I-5 South County Improvements Project, a major milestone in enhancing mobility, safety, and connectivity through one of Southern California’s busiest freeway corridors.
The $687 million project, led by OCTA in partnership with Caltrans, spans 6.5 miles between SR-73 and El Toro Road. It delivers vital freeway upgrades and modernized infrastructure for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists traveling through the cities of Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Laguna Niguel.
“This is a major milestone for South Orange County and the region, and I’m thrilled that we are delivering on our promise to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity for all who rely on the I-5 freeway,” said OCTA Chairman Doug Chaffee, also Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor. “This project allows residents, workers, and visitors to spend less time sitting in traffic and more time enjoying everything Orange County has to offer.”
With approximately 390,000 vehicles traveling this stretch of freeway each day, the improvements are expected to significantly reduce bottlenecks, enhance safety, and provide more consistent travel times for daily commuters and visitors alike.
The project was funded primarily by Orange County voter-approved Measure M, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, with additional support from state and federal funding sources.
Learn more here.