Chokepoint Improvements

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in conjunction with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is developing freeway improvements to alleviate localized freeway chokepoints. A chokepoint is a location in the freeway system where optimum roadway operation is degraded for a short distance due to unusually heavy weaving or merging vehicle movements. The goal is to have a package of "shelf-ready" projects that can be implemented as funding becomes available.

Remedies could include additional auxiliary (merging) lanes between interchanges, interchange or ramp modifications, re-striping and/or signage and, where warranted by traffic volume, connection of auxiliary lanes through an interchange.

There are four phases to complete the chokepoint project improvements:

• Project Study Report (PSR) or Project Study Report/Project Development Support (PSR-PDS)
• Design (PS&E)
• Construction

The PSR evaluates the feasibility of alternatives and includes conceptual design, a preliminary environmental assessment report and refined cost estimates. A PSR-PDS includes much of the same analysis as a PSR, but with less detail and a more general cost estimate. Both a PSR and PSR-PDS provide sufficient information to decide if the project should proceed to the next phase, as well as allowing for application for funding of the future phases of the project.

The Project Report/Environmental Document (PR/ED) will asses, address and document the environmental considerations of the preferred alternative identified in the PSR or PSR-PDS, and will provide construction cost.

Learn more about the project development process.