One year after the completion of the I-405 Improvement Project, drivers are experiencing easier and quicker commutes along one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation.
The project opened to traffic on Dec. 1, 2023, bringing transformative improvements to a 16-mile stretch of I-405 between Costa Mesa and the Los Angeles County line. The $2.1 billion investment was designed to reduce congestion and accommodate an expected growth in employment, population and housing throughout the region. The project included one new regular lane in each direction and created the 405 Express Lanes. It also made improvements to streets and freeway on- and off-ramps, and reconstructed 18 bridges, many now featuring new sidewalks and bike lanes.
“The I-405 Improvement Project has been a significant investment in Orange County’s transportation system, making daily life easier for local businesses, families and commuters,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “By reducing travel times and improving connections, we’re supporting the well-being of our communities and ensuring our region continues to thrive.”
The improvements have reduced travel times for drivers in the regular lanes, while the 405 Express Lanes offer additional time savings for those who choose to carpool or pay a toll to use them. Drivers in the regular lanes are saving up to 12 minutes during the northbound weekday evening rush hour between SR-73 and I-605, helping them get home sooner, spend more time with family or enjoy other activities.
For drivers seeking even greater time savings and trip reliability, the 405 Express Lanes offers a free-flowing, congestion-free option. More than 16 million trips have been taken in the 405 Express Lanes in the first year.
Drivers traveling northbound in the 405 Express Lanes can save more than 20 minutes during weekday evening peak hours compared to using the carpool lanes that existed prior to the project’s construction in 2018.
Traveling the full 14 miles in the 405 Express Lanes takes approximately 15 minutes at all hours, allowing drivers to plan a reliable commute. Whether heading to an important meeting or making it home for a child’s recital, drivers can count on the 405 Express Lanes to get them there on time.
“This project is a great example of how collaboration and innovation can improve the quality of life for Orange County’s residents, workers and visitors,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “The I-405 Improvement Project is not only helping people save time, but also providing drivers with more choices for how they travel, reflecting OCTA’s commitment to enhancing mobility and supporting the needs of our communities and region as a whole.”