Closure is necessary to reconstruct on-ramp to southbound I-5 as project enters final phase
ORANGE – Construction crews will close the Ortega Highway on-ramp to the southbound San Diego Freeway (I-5) freeway for about six weeks beginning just after midnight –12:01 a.m. – on Monday, Sept. 22.
The closure is necessary as crews begin the last phase of construction on the project to reconstruct the Ortega Highway interchange with the I-5 freeway in San Juan Capistrano. It will allow crews to realign and reconstruct the on-ramp to tie in with the new south half of the Ortega Highway bridge.
The northbound Ortega Highway off-ramp from I-5 that has been closed for the past two weeks will reopen.
The $86 million project is intended to help relieve a notorious traffic chokepoint for regional commuters, as well as for local drivers who travel the street daily.
The overall project includes the widening of the Ortega Highway bridge and the reconstruction of on- and off-ramps. Ortega Highway will be realigned to the west of the I-5 interchange to curve into Del Obispo, instead of continuing straight into Camino Capistrano.
The project began in spring 2013 and is expected to wrap up by mid-2015.
During the ramp closure, alternate routes will be necessary to access downtown, nearby schools and local shops and restaurants in and around the project area.
For more information, please visit www.octa.net/ortega.
