Open Houses Set For West County Connectors (2009)

Project accelerated linking carpool lanes on I-405, I-605, SR-22

ORANGE – Work to improve traffic flow by directly connecting carpool lanes in west county is being accelerated and Orange County’s transportation planners want residents to stay connected and updated on the project.

The $400 million West County Connectors project will improve traffic flow by directly connecting carpool lanes on the San Diego Freeway (I-405), San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) and Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22). The project is currently in the final design stage and a series of open houses are planned throughout March.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2010, four months ahead of schedule, with completion estimated for 2013. The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, has accelerated the project schedule to support the national economic stimulus effort and help jumpstart the local economy. It is estimated the project will create more than 12,000 jobs in the region.

The project will construct two carpool lane connectors, add a second carpool lane in each direction on I-405 between the SR-22 and I-605, reconstruct on- and off-ramps, construct sound walls and add landscaping and aesthetic elements.

The following open houses are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. and will include a project overview presentation from 6:30 to 7 p.m.:

Thursday, March 12 at Kettering Elementary School, 550 Silvera Ave. in Long Beach
Wednesday, March 18 at Loyal Barker Elementary School, 12565 Springdale St. in Garden Grove
Thursday, March 19 at the Seal Beach City Hall Council Chamber, 211 8th St. in Seal Beach
Tuesday, March 24 at Rush Park Auditorium, 3021 Blume Drive in Rossmoor
Wednesday, March 25 at Sequoia Elementary School, 5900 Iroquois Road in Westminster

For more information, please contact Christina Byrne at (714) 560-5717 or cbyrne@octa.net.