SR-55 to SR-57

Currently, 390,000 motorists travel the I-5 between the SR-55 and SR-57 daily. Projected traffic volumes anticipate a 19 percent increase by 2030, bringing the total to 464,000 motorists per day through the cities of Santa Ana, Tustin, southwest Orange and southeast Anaheim.  The four-mile, $45 million project will reduce congestion by:

• Adding a second carpool lane in each direction.
• Improving the southbound I-5 First Street on-ramp.

I-5 Central County Improvments Project 

Construction Costs: $45 million

Funding: Federal and state funds; STIP and local Measure M

 1. Carpool alternatives under consideration  

• No Build 
• Adds a second carpool lane next to the existing carpool barrier in each direction on I-5 between SR-55 and SR-57. 
• Relocate existing carpool barrier closer to the centerline and add a second carpool lane next to the carpool barrier in each direction on I-5 between SR-55 and SR-57. 

2. There are three alternatives to increase the merge length at the southbound I-5 First Street on-ramp  

• Remove the southbound I-5 First Street on-ramp and construct a new southbound I-5 on-ramp at Fourth Street 
• Remove the southbound I-5 First Street on-ramp and construct a southbound I-5 loop on-ramp at First Street 
• Remove the southbound I-5 First Street on-ramp and construct a southbound I-5 on-ramp between First and Fourth Street. 

Handouts from 11/2/11  Public Scoping Meeting
I-5 Central Presentation 
Project Fact Sheet 
Project Fact Sheet (Spanish)  

Community Outreach 

The environmental phase includes extensive public outreach.

In an effort to keep our residents, businesses and community leaders informed, we are actively meeting with key groups, homeowner associations and businesses in the area. Please contact us to schedule a presentation.

Additional information regarding public meetings will be posted online as soon as the dates and locations are available.  

El Toro Y to SR-55

This project will build new lanes and improve the interchanges in the area between the SR-55 and the SR-133 (near the El Toro “Y”).  This segments of the I-5 is the major route serving activity areas in the cities of Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, and north Orange County.

The project will increase freeway capacity and reduce congestion. The current traffic volume on this segment of the I-5 is about 356,000 vehicles per day and is expected to increase by nearly 24 percent to 440,000 vehicles per day. The project will also make improvements to interchanges, such as Jamboree Road and Culver Drive, and will generally be constructed within the existing right-of-way.

Schedule: To be determined

Contact Information

Julie Toledo
Community Relations Specialist
(714) 560-5573 | jtoledo@octa.net
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