Introduction

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority, (OCTA) proposes to modify the Interstate 5 (I-5)/El Toro Road Interchange (PM 17.8/19.7) within the Cities of Lake Forest, Laguna Woods, and Laguna Hills. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow, optimize traffic signalization, improve traffic mobility through adjacent local street intersections, reduce freeway ramp queuing, and apply technology to help manage traffic demand. These technological improvements would primarily focus on improving the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO). Currently, the project is in the environmental review and preliminary engineering process.

Project Overall Schedule

Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Review Process – Early 2023 – Late 2025

Schedule for Final Design, Right of Way or Construction will be finalized as the PA/ED process progresses

Funding Sources: OCTA (OCGO) and Caltrans

Project History

In February 2015, the Project Study Report (PSR) considered 15 alternatives, of which four build alternatives were recommended for further study. In May 2017, OCTA and Caltrans initiated the Environmental and Preliminary Engineering (PAED) phase. Two of the four alternatives were removed from further study.

From April-May 2019, a Draft Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (IS/EA) was circulated for public review for the proposed Project. Following this public review period, a consensus on a preferred alternative could not be achieved due to lack of local support. Hence, these alternatives will be eliminated from further consideration.

In October 2021, OCTA initiated an Alternatives Assessment Study in order to take “one more look” at the I-5/El Toro Road interchange, to see if there was any other alternative interchange configuration(s) that could be developed to handle the Southbound (SB) traffic existing at El Toro Road. The goal of the conceptual interchange configurations prepared during the Alternatives Assessment Study was to meet the Purpose & Need of the project, which would reduce traffic congestion, improve on & off-ramps operation (reduce off-ramp queuing), improve traffic flow, and traffic signal optimization for the SB traffic exiting at El Toro Road. This study looked at seven alternatives and recommended the following two Build Alternatives (under Project Alternatives below) for detailed evaluation. At the request of the Cities, Caltrans is also evaluating the Transportation System Management (TSM) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Alternative as a standalone build alternative as discussed below.

From July-December 2023 a public scoping period was conducted. In response to comments received during this time, we extended the public scoping period for an additional 45 days to provide additional time for the public, resource agencies, and stakeholders to provide input on the depth and breadth of issues that should be addressed in the environmental document.

In April 2024, the Traffic Operations Analysis Report (TOAR) was initiated as part of the project's environmental phase. Its purpose is to explore construction alternatives, determine the optimal operational flow, and identify ways to alleviate congestion along the I-5. This report builds on previous evaluations, including the El Toro Road/I-5 Interchange Improvements Traffic Engineering Study and the I-5/El Toro Road Interchange Improvements Traffic Study Report. The TOAR summarizes the traffic performance of various alternatives and will support a more detailed analysis of these options.

Project Alternatives

Four alternatives are currently being studied; one No Build and three build alternatives. To find out more information visit the alternative tab.