The following is a summary of the progress made on the Renewed Measure M (M2) Early Action Plan (EAP) covering the period of April 2008 – June 2008.

Development of the freeway projects under the M2 program continued at a rapid pace during the second quarter of 2008. With all EAP projects underway, progress continued with the advancement of the conceptual design, environmental clearance, and final design. This effort will set the stage for the construction of 40 miles of freeway improvements, costing more than $1.7 billion, over the next ten years.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is preparing a project study report to identify ways to relieve freeway congestion along the Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) between the Costa Mesa Freeway (State Route 55) and the Orange Freeway (State Route 57) in Santa Ana. The study is looking at ways to increase capacity and improve traffic flow through this section of Interstate 5 (I-5) that connects four major freeways in central Orange County. The study is expected to be completed in late 2009.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) selected a consultant to begin preparation of an environmental document for improvements along I-5 between Avenida Pico and Pacific Coast Highway, through the communities of San Clemente and Dana Point. The environmental study will evaluate the benefits of extending the current high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-5, that presently end at the Pacific Coast Highway interchange, all the way down to Avenida Pico in San Clemente.  Environmental approval is expected in mid 2012.

OCTA is also preparing a project study report to evaluate options to improve the I-5/Avenida Pico interchange. The study will look at ways to improve local traffic flow entering and leaving the freeway in this area. This study will be coordinated with the environmental study being done for the I-5 HOV lane project in the same vicinity. The study is expected to be completed in late 2010.

OCTA is preparing a project study report to look at ways to improve traffic flow along I-5 between the San Joaquin Toll Road (State Route 73) and El Toro Road through the communities of Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, and Mission Viejo. The study will look at capacity enhancements and interchange improvements to ease the flow of traffic through this area. The study is expected to be completed in mid 2010.

Caltrans is preparing final design for the reconstruction of the I-5/Ortega Highway   (State Route 74) interchange. The project will reconstruct the State Route 74 (SR-74) bridge over the freeway and improve local traffic flow on SR-74 and other adjacent streets leading to the freeway.  Design is expected to be completed in late 2011.

OCTA is preparing an environmental document to add a new westbound lane to the Riverside Freeway (State Route 91) between I-5 and SR-57 in Anaheim. This effort is looking at the environmental and design issues related to adding a new general purpose lane and will identify the most practical approach that has the least impact on existing properties along the freeway.  Environmental approval is expected in late 2009.

Caltrans is preparing an environmental document to improve traffic flow through the State Route 55 (SR-55)/State Route 91 (SR-91) interchange. The improvements to the interchange will focus on the northbound to westbound connector along SR-91 between SR-55 and Tustin Avenue.  Environmental approval is expected in late 2010.

Caltrans has completed the final design and is advertising for construction bids for a new eastbound lane on SR-91 between the Foothill-Eastern Toll Road (State Route 241) and the Corona Expressway (State Route 71) in Riverside County. This project will extend the existing eastbound auxiliary lane that terminates before Green River Road to the State Route 71 (SR-71) interchange.  Construction is expected to begin in late 2009.

Caltrans is preparing final design to add one new lane each way along SR-91 from   SR-55 to State Route 241 (SR-241). This project will add significant new capacity along SR-91 through the cities of Anaheim and Placentia. Final design is expected to be completed in mid 2011.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is planning to extend the express lanes eastward along SR-91 from their current terminus in Anaheim all the way to the Corona Freeway (Interstate 15). This project will also add one general purpose lane in each direction from Interstate 15 to SR-241 in Orange County. RCTC is currently preparing an environmental analysis for the proposed improvements which is expected to be completed in early 2011.  The segment in Orange County will be funded by M2, where the Riverside County segment will be funded with their Measure A and toll revenues.

OCTA Staff:  Tom Bogard (714) 560-5918

The following is a summary of the progress made on the Renewed Measure M (M2) Early Action Plan (EAP) covering the period of July 2008 – September 2008.

OCTA is undertaking an accelerated program to begin improvements to the freeway system under the M2 program. Although M2 was approved in November 2006, the sales tax collections do not actually begin until April 2011. In order to expedite some of this work, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) instituted an EAP that advances the development of nine of the freeway corridors before April 2011. This plan uses state infrastructure bonds and other debt financing to start the projects early. The EAP includes the advancement of the conceptual design, environmental clearance, final design, and construction of a number of projects. Work is underway on all nine freeway corridors at this time.

OCTA Staff:  Charlie Larwood (714) 560-5683

The South Orange County Major Investment Study is in the process of completing the third and final phase of the study.  This final phase will identify a locally preferred strategy (LPS), which includes M2 projects.  If approved by the Board in October 2008, the LPS will establish the M2 freeway plan as a priority for improving transportation in south Orange County followed by additional proposed improvements to I-5 and I-405.

OCTA staff:  Charlie Larwood (714) 560-5683

The South Orange County Major Investment Study concluded with recommended strategies and improvements to address future demands on our transportation system.  The locally preferred strategy was approved by the Board in October 2008 and established the M2 freeway plan as a priority for improving transportation in south Orange County followed by additional proposed improvements to I-5 and I-405.

The 1st Quarter of 2008 was a very active period in the development of Renewed Measure M highway projects in Orange County. Work was underway on all nine freeway corridors that were targeted for immediate action under the M2 Early Action Plan. The work on freeway projects this quarter included the advancement of four conceptual design reports, four environmental documents, and three final designs. This work will set the stage for the eventual construction of 40 miles of freeway improvements, costing over $1.5 billion, over the next ten years.

At the end of 2008, improvements to 45 miles of the county’s freeway system will be underway. In addition to the projects outline by the Early Action Plan, the Board has approved a revised implementation plan for the San Diego Freeway (I-405) West County Connectors projects. Work is also underway on the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) Gateway project and two other state-funded projects on the I-5 in south Orange County.

• See Item 4 in the OCTA Highway Committee Meeting [PDF, 54MB]

OCTA is preparing a feasibility study to look into options to improve State Route 55 between Interstate 405 and Interstate 5, passing through the communities of Santa Ana and Irvine. The study is look at the feasibility of lane additions within this corridor and possible improvements to the freeway interchanges to improve system performance.

OCTA has just begun a feasibility study to look into options for improving the State Route 91/State Route 55 interchange and to add capacity along State Route 91 between State Route 57 and State Route 55. This feasibility study will evaluate previous studies done in the area and pick some of the best options to advance into conceptual design.

The Renewed Measure M Early Action Plan calls for the preparation of a conceptual engineering study for the segment of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and the Orange Freeway (SR-57). In February, the Board approved the selection of consulting firm RMC, Inc. to prepare a technical feasibility study for improvements to the SR-91. See Item 3 in the OCTA Highways Committee Meeting [PDF, 60MB]

The South Orange County Major Investment Study (SOCMIS) is designed to identify the transportation challenges and potential solutions for southern Orange County. A key component to the Study’s success is the development of a Locally Preferred Strategy for which there is overall consensus. For the SOCMIS, OCTA has developed a program to provide proactive communication and engage stakeholders throughout the study process. A series of open houses have been held to gather stakeholder feedback and provide understandable technical information.

View the early action plan timeline here.

The Renewed Measure M Early Action Plan calls for the preparation of a conceptual engineering study for the segment of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and the Orange Freeway (SR-57). In February, the Board approved the selection of consulting firm RMC, Inc. to prepare a technical feasibility study for improvements to the SR-91.

• See Item 3 in the OCTA Highways Committee Meeting [PDF, 60MB]

OCTA is preparing the final design for a new northbound lane on State Route 57 (SR-57) from Orangethorpe Avenue to Lambert Avenue through the communities of Brea and Fullerton. The widening of the freeway in the northbound direction will be generally accommodated within the existing right-of-way. Construction is expected to begin in mid 2010.

OCTA is preparing an environmental analysis to add a new northbound lane on SR-57 between Katella Street and Lincoln Avenue in the Anaheim area. This study will identify any potential environmental impacts of the project and will propose mitigation measures to minimize any unavoidable impacts.  Environmental approval is expected in late 2009.

OCTA is preparing an environmental study to add one or two new lanes each way on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) between SR-55 and the San Gabriel Freeway (Interstate 605). These improvements will add mainline capacity and improve the local interchanges along the corridor that serves the communities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. One option being studied is to add high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in each direction in the median of the freeway to provide express lanes similar to those currently operating on SR-91 in Anaheim.