Beginning March 17, 2025, the construction closure list will no longer be posted. However, closure information is available on the Caltrans Planned Lane Closures website: https://lcswebreports.dot.ca.gov/searchdistricts?district=12 For questions about remaining activities, contact the Community Outreach Team at I5SouthCounty@octa.net.
⚠️ As of Monday, March 31, 2025, the I-5 South Improvement Project helpline will no longer be available. If you need to reach the Community Outreach Team, please email I-5SouthCounty@octa.net or call (800) 724-0353.
I-5 South County Improvements Project
Construction Updates
OCTA, in cooperation with Caltrans, is constructing the I-5 Freeway Improvement Project between State Route 73 (SR-73) and El Toro Road. The project will improve 6.5 miles of I-5 through the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel.
Stay ConnectedProject Details
Today, nearly 360,000 motorists travel I-5 daily between SR-73 and El Toro Road. Transportation planners forecast traffic volumes will grow 25 percent by 2045. To address this travel demand, OCTA and Caltrans are working together to construct the I-5 South County Improvements Project from SR-73 to El Toro Road.
roadway- New northbound and southbound general purpose lane from Avery Parkway to Alicia Parkway.
- Extension of the second carpool lane from Alicia Parkway to El Toro Road, in both directions
structure- Reconstruct Avery Parkway and La Paz Road interchanges, and improve Los Alisos Boulevard Bridge
- Modify all on- and off-ramps in project area
- Add new sound and retaining walls
operational- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access, making it safer and easier for motorists to enter and exit the lanes at any time
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes between interchanges to improve local connectivity and facilitate merging and diverging
- Install new overhead signs and lighting
- Restripe regular lanes within project limits
details6.5 miles
Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel
$664 million
Mid-2019 to Early 2025
Segment Overview
This freeway improvement project is being built in three segments and includes several roadway, structural and operational improvements such as new general purpose lanes, improved interchanges as well as on- and off-ramps.
SR-73 to Oso Parkway
Oso Parkway to Alicia Parkway
Alicia Parkway to El Toro Road
Avery Parkway
- Improve all Avery Parkway on- and off-ramps
- Add northbound and southbound general purpose lane
- Extend second carpool lane from Alicia Parkway to El Toro Road, in both directions
- Reconstruct Avery Parkway Interchange
- Add new retaining walls
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
Crown Valley Parkway
- Modify five on- and off-ramps at Crown Valley
- Add northbound and southbound general purpose lane
- Add Major Retaining Walls
- Add Minor Retaining Walls
- Add Concrete Barriers
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
Oso Parkway
- Add northbound and southbound general purpose lane
- Modify six on- and off-ramps at Oso Parkway
- Add sound and retaining walls
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
La Paz Road
- Add northbound and southbound general purpose lane
- Reconstruct La Paz Road Interchange
- Add sound and retaining walls
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
Alicia Parkway
- Extend second carpool lane from Alicia Parkway to El Toro Road
- Add retaining walls
- Modify on- and off-ramps at Alicia Parkway
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
El Toro Road
- Extend second carpool lane between Alicia Parkway and El Toro Road
- Reconstruct Los Alisos Boulevard bridge
- Add retaining walls
- Convert carpool lanes to continuous access
- Add new, and reestablish existing, auxiliary lanes
Social Media Feed
Contact the I-5 South County Improvements Project Outreach Team
If you have questions, please contact the Outreach Team by calling (949) 614-0202 or email i5SouthCounty@octa.net.
Para obtener más información sobre el proyecto, llame al (949) 614-0202 o envíe un correo electrónico a i5SouthCounty@octa.net.