ORANGE – The Santa Ana (I-5) Gateway Project that widened the last two miles of the I-5 near the Orange County line was named Freeway Project of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation.
The California Transportation Foundation recognized the Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans for the complexity of the four-year project, which doubled the size of the I-5 through Buena Park, and the positive impact it made on improving travel through the area for drivers.
“The success of the I-5 Gateway Project shows how true collaboration and partnership results in a great project,” said Will Kempton, CEO of OCTA. “Both during construction and in the final product, maintaining that connection helped to ensure the tremendous success of this project.”
The $335 million project was the final link in the original Measure M freeway improvement program and added two lanes in each direction between the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) and the county line, reconstructed bridges and improved on-ramps and off-ramps.
The project helped ease congestion on the stretch of freeway traveled by an average of 172,000 vehicles a day.
The California Transportation Foundation is the leading charitable transportation organization in the state. Established 20 years ago, it focuses on advancing the transportation industry by bringing together leaders through forums and educational events and providing scholarships for students pursuing a career in transportation.
