Segment 1: Orangethorpe Avenue to Lambert Road
This segment was the first project to be approved with the completion of the environmental phase in December 2007. The project is currently in the design phase and construction is scheduled to begin in July 2010.
Five Miles of Improvements
The SR-57 is an important route and integral part of Southern California’s freeway network. Currently, drivers experience substantial traffic congestion during peak afternoon hours. In an effort to improve traffic flow, OCTA, in cooperation with the Caltrans District 12, is adding a northbound lane along a five-mile section of the freeway in Orange County between Orangethorpe Avenue in Placentia to Lambert Road in Brea.
Project Improvements
Improvements to this five-mile stretch include the addition of one general-purpose lane along with merging lanes and reconfiguration of certain on-ramps and off-ramps.
Key Objectives
- Improve existing and future mobility by reducing congestion
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Facilitate the flow of goods and services via SR-57
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Increase traffic flow and safety for the 144,000 to 158,000 vehicles projected to travel this section of the freeway daily
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Achieve a major component of the Renewed Measure M Freeway Improvement Plan
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Conform to state, regional and local plans and policies
Next Steps
Design plans, specifications and estimates are now being developed in preparation for the construction phase to begin in July 2010.
Project Timeline
| Project Approval: | December 2007 |
| Design Begins: | January 2008 |
| Construction Begins: | July 2010 |
Freeway Improvements Open:
| Late 2014 |
Funding Sources
The estimated total cost of the project is $140 million. Project funding sources include the state Proposition 1B: Corridor Mobility Improvement Account Program funds and Orange County's Renewed Measure M – the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements approved in 2006.
On Nov. 7, 2006, county residents also approved Renewed Measure M (M2) for another 30 years to 2041. An M2 Early Action Plan was implemented in 2007 and allows OCTA to advance the implementation of M2 projects – such as the SR-57 widening – before 2011.
Keep Me Informed
We welcome your input on SR-57 Northbound Widening Project. Please enter your comments and contact information here. Be sure to indicate if you would like to be contacted regarding questions or concerns about the project. Thank you for your opinion.
Segment 2: Katella Avenue to Lincoln Avenue
This segment entered the environmental phase in 2008 and construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2011 if the project is approved. The Initial Study is available for public review and comment from March 24 through April 22, 2009.
Three More Miles of Improvements
The Orange Freeway (SR-57) is an important truck route and integral part of Southern California’s freeway network. In an effort to improve traffic flow, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in cooperation with the Caltrans District 12, is conducting environmental studies and preliminary engineering to arrive at a preferred transportation improvement alternative from Katella to Lincoln avenues in Anaheim.
Project Improvements
Improvements to this three-mile stretch include the addition of one general-purpose lane along with merging lanes and reconfiguration of certain on-ramps and off-ramps.
Key Objectives
- Improve existing and future mobility by reducing congestion
- Increase traffic flow and safety for the 142,000 to 158,000 vehicles projected to travel this section of the freeway daily
- Facilitate the flow of goods and services via SR-57
-
Achieve a major component of the Renewed Measure M Freeway Improvement Plan
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Conform to state, regional and local plans and policies
Proposed Alternatives
Drivers experience substantial traffic congestion during peak afternoon hours along this three-mile stretch. Currently, OCTA and Caltrans are evaluating four options for the project during the environmental phase, which is expected to be completed by August 2009.
- Alternative: No-build; no improvements
- Build Alternative 1: Provide one northbound merging lane from the Katella Avenue on-ramp to the Ball Road off-ramp and from the Ball Road on-ramp to the Lincoln Avenue off-ramp
- Build Alternative 2: Provide one additional northbound general purpose lane from Katella Avenue off-ramp to the Lincoln Avenue on-ramp
- Build Alternative 3: Same as alternative 2, but would provide additional widening to bring the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane width and the inside shoulder width into conformance with Caltrans design standards
Next Steps
In March 2009, the environmental document will be presented to the public for review and comments. The document includes an assessment of the existing environment that could be affected by the project, potential impacts from each of the alternatives and proposed mitigation measures. Upon completion of the public review period, project approval is expected if there are no major comments requiring additional action. Following project approval, design plans, specifications and estimates will be prepared for the construction phase to begin in summer 2011.
Project Timeline
| Environmental Phase: | April 2008 - July 2009 |
| Public Review: | March 24 thorugh April 22, 2009
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| Project Approval: | July 2009 |
Final Design Begins:
| August 2009 |
| Construction Begins: | Summer 2011 |
| Freeway Improvements Open: | Late 2014 |
Funding Sources
The estimated total cost of the project ranges from $23 million to $41 million depending on the selected alternative. Project funding sources include the state Proposition 1B: Corridor Mobility Improvement Account Program and Orange County's Renewed Measure M – the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements approved by voters in 2006.