Freeways Improvements Continue
- I-405 Improvement Project: More than 85 percent complete
- I-5 Improvement Project: More than 60 percent complete
- SR-55 Improvement Project: Construction began
2022 Highlights
The OC Go freeway program includes 30 project segments that will relieve rush hour congestion and ease traffic flow on Orange County freeways. To date, 13 freeway segments have been completed and five more were under construction during 2022.
I-405 Improvement Project
This $2 billion project will improve 16 miles of the I‐405 in both directions between SR-73 and I-605 through the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Westminster. The project will add one general purpose lane in each direction between Euclid Street and I-605 and make improvements to freeway entrances, exits and bridges. Also, the project will add the 405 Express Lanes, incorporating the existing carpool lanes and a new lane in each direction between SR-73 and I-605. The general purpose lane portion of the project is funded by OC Go with a combination of local, state and federal funds. The 405 Express Lanes are separately funded and will be paid for by those who choose to pay a toll and use them.
During 2022, OCTA continued significant work on replacing and reconstructing street crossings with wider bridges along the project corridor. The Bolsa Chica Road (March 2022) and Heil Pedestrian Overcrossing (August 2022) bridges fully opened to traffic. In addition, the Fairview Road (May 2022) and Westminster Boulevard (August 2022) bridges were fully completed and opened to traffic. Of the 18 total bridge replacements, seven bridges are under construction and 11 have been completed.
As of December 2022, the project was more than 90 percent complete and is anticipated to be finished in late 2023.
I-5 (SR-73 to El Toro Road) Improvement Project
From SR-73 to El Toro Road, OCTA and Caltrans are working together to implement the I-5 Improvement Project to address traffic volumes, which are anticipated to increase 25 percent by 2045.
Located adjacent to the cities of Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo, the $577 million freeway improvement project is being built in three segments and includes numerous roadway, structural and operational improvements, as well as soundwalls. Construction on all three segments is underway, with the first segment anticipated to be completed in 2024.
SR-55 (I-405 to I-5) Improvement Project
OCTA and Caltrans are improving four miles of SR-55 between I-405 and I-5 through the cities of Irvine, Santa Ana, and Tustin. This project will improve traffic flow and reduce travel time by adding one regular lane and one carpool lane in each direction, make improvements to several bridges, and add merge lanes between several interchanges. The $475.1 million project is funded with a combination of local, state, and federal funds.
Construction activities have begun and the project is anticipated to be completed in 2026.
Next 10 Delivery Plan: 2022 Update
This comprehensive and balanced plan was developed to ensure that the promises made in the OC Go Investment Plan can continue to be delivered in concert with changes in economic conditions and revenue projections. In 2022, the Next 10 Delivery Plan review incorporated OCTA's strong revenue position and validated that OC Go can still be delivered consistent with the commitments to the voters. By 2030, nearly 90 percent of the total number of freeway projects (26 out of 30) will be delivered well in advance of 2041.
Investing in Streets for Better Travel Every Day
Invested more than $1 billion in Orange County streets and roads since 2011 to keep local streets among the best in the state.
The streets and Roads Program reached a signification milestone as funding allocations and distributions surpassed $1 billion.
OC Go dedicates approximately 32 percent of net local transportation sales tax proceeds to enable Orange County cities and the County of Orange to maintain streets, synchronize traffics signals, and improve the local streets and roads system to make it safer and more efficient. From 2011 to 2022, $1 billion in tax dollars have been invested locally in streets and roads as part of promises made through OC Go. These well-maintained and improved thoroughfares contribute to the safety, quality of life and smooth, efficient travel for all, whether you drive, cycle, walk, vanpool, or take OC Bus.
Every trip begins with a local street or road. Keeping them in good shape is an important component of OC Go.
In 2022, OCTA distributed $74.7 million in OC Go Local Fair Share funds to cities and the County of Orange to preserve existing streets and roads and to provide other transportation improvements based on the priorities and infrastructure needs determined by local jurisdictions. As a result, local streets and roads have been able to accommodate more throughput, generally improve the level of service, and also maintain the standing of having best pavement conditions in the state.
In addition, the OCTA Board of Directors approved $26.4 million for 14 projects through the Regional Capacity Program, which funds intersection improvements and other street improvement projects to help reduce congestion.
Stop and go traffic can be frustrating and time consuming. OC Go helps synchronize traffic lights across the county to make your drive less stressful.
To date, the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program has optimized signal timing throughout Orange County on 3,445 signalized intersections along 886 miles of roadway. It also funds the infrastructure that coordinates the traffic signal systems and the communications pathways needed for future data sharing and connections. Currently, there are 27 projects planned or in progress.
During 2022, OCTA implemented four projects that synchronized 180 signals along 48 miles. The corridors include:
- La Palma Avenue (Anaheim)
- Fairview Road (Costa Mesa, Santa Ana)
- Garden Grove Boulevard (Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Westminster)
- Katella Avenue (Anaheim, Cypress, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Orange, Stanton, Villa Park, County of Orange)
In May 2022, the OCTA Board of Directors also approved nearly $16.2 million to fund five new synchronization projects:
- Bake Parkway and Rockfield Boulevard (Irvine, Lake Forest)
- Crown Valley Parkway (Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, County of Orange)
- Euclid Street (Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Santa Ana)
- Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern (Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel)
- Yorba Linda Boulevard/Weir Canyon Road (Anaheim, Fullerton, Placentia, Yorba Linda)
As a result of this program, Orange County drivers experience less stop-and-go traffic. This allows them to save money on gas and reduce emissions and greenhouse gases. To date, the program has resulted in:
- 98 traffic signal synchronization corridor projects implemented
- $157 million in overall funding awarded by OCTA Board of Directors, including $25.5 million in leveraged external funding
- 13% average travel time savings
- 28% reduction in stops
- 14% average speed improvement
Moving OC Streetcar Forward
Construction on OC Streetcar is nearly 75 percent complete.
Currently under construction, this public transit option is designed to move residents, employees and visitors through the heart of the county and will be the first modern streetcar in California.
OC Streetcar's 4.15-mile route will connect to existing rail and bus routes in Orange County and beyond, including the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center that serves Metrolink and Amtrak travelers throughout Southern California.
Major construction activities continued in 2022 with the construction of the Fairview Street and Fifth Street at-grade crossings, the Maintenance and Storage Facility, and utility relocation. Overall, more than 70 percent of the embedded track has been installed throughout the alignment. Other project activities in 2022 included continued production of the eight vehicles, which are in the final stages of manufacturing.
Ensuring Mobility for All
Services for seniors and those with disabilities were funded by investments of more than $14 million.
Three programs work together to provide efficient, cost-effective transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities.
The Senior Mobility Program fills the gap between local fixed-route buses and ACCESS service by providing transportation services to seniors in 32 cities in Orange County. OCTA and the participating cities contribute to the program. To date, all actively participating cities have resumed full transportation services to meet the needs of the community. The Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program supplements existing countywide transportation for non-emergency medical trips. The Fare Stabilization Program reduces fares for bus and ACCESS paratransit rides for seniors and persons with disabilities. In 2022, more than $14.3 million was provided for these programs under OC Go to improve the quality of life.
All local transit services resumed in summer 2022
The community-based transit circulators program provides funding for local jurisdictions to develop local bus transit services that complement regional bus and rail services to meet needs in areas not adequately served by regional transit. While many of these programs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ten seasonal summer services were available to the public at regular services levels in 2022.
Expanding Rail Service Infrastructure
Substantially completed the Anaheim Canyon Metrolink Station to begin serving passengers in early 2023 with improved reliability and experiences.
Each day, commuters and other travelers use convenient Metrolink trains to get to work or other destinations within Orange County or the adjoining counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
Orange County has 12 Metrolink stations served by three lines – Orange County (OC) Line, Inland Empire Orange County (IEOC) Line, and 91/Perris Valley (91/PV) Line. Metrolink service relies on an operating subsidy, which OCTA funds through OC Go. As a result of the pandemic and related stay-at-home orders issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Metrolink ridership was impacted, resulting in some service reduction.
OC Go also provides funding for rail line and station improvements. In 2022, construction continued at the Anaheim Canyon Metrolink Station to add a second main track and passenger platform, extend the existing passenger platform and install various amenities to improve the passenger experience. The improvements are anticipated to be complete in early 2023.
Reducing Transportation-Related Water Pollution
More than $3 million was invested to keep pollutants out of Orange County waterways and the ocean.
The Environmental Cleanup Program (ECP) uses OC Go funds for local projects that clean transportation-related pollutants from Orange County's waterways.
In November 2022, the OCTA Board of Directors approved $3.1 million to fund 13 water quality improvement projects. Since 2011, more than $61 million has been awarded for 234 projects from all 34 cities and the County of Orange. Through these projects, it is estimated that the equivalent of nearly 138 football fields one foot deep in trash has been captured.
In exchange for expedited freeway projects, OCTA preserves and restores natural habitats.
A total of 1,300 acres has been permanently protected to enhance wildlife connectivity, safeguard sensitive species, and preserve substantial parcels of valuable habitat. Preserves are located in Brea, Laguna Beach, Silverado Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon. In addition, OC Go has funded 12 restoration projects that help remove invasive plants and restore approximately 350 acres of open space lands to their native habitat.