Project Overview

Anticipated Project Schedule

Funding

This $41.5 million project is funded with federal dollars and by OC Go (also known as Measure M), Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

Community Outreach

As the project continues through the construction phase, we will continue to keep residents, businesses and community leaders informed. We are actively meeting with key groups, homeowners associations and businesses in the area. Please contact us to schedule a presentation or for additional project information.

Upcoming Construction Activities

Remaining major structural work includes construction of concrete median barriers and a retaining wall, as well as installation of new overhead signs. In addition, crews will construct a new barrier on the southbound side of the Main Street bridge over the freeway, where it was once connected to carpool ramps. The ramps were demolished in summer 2019. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2021.

Closures and Detours Map

Plan your commute around construction with the I-5 Central County Improvements Project Interactive Map. Visit www.octa.net/i5centralmap for information about construction activities and closures.

LONG-TERM CLOSURE OF NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND I-5 CARPOOL LANES

The northbound I-5 carpool lane was closed between Grand Avenue and SR-57 on Friday, April 10 and the southbound I-5 carpool lane between Bristol Street/La Veta Avenue and First Street was closed on Wednesday, April 22. Caltrans has opened one carpool lane in each direction before they widen into two lanes as motorists approach the connectors. Specifically:

• From northbound I-5: One carpool lane is open from SR-55 to Main Street and two carpool lanes are open from Main Street to the SR-57 connector
• From southbound I-5: One carpool lane is open from SR-57 to Broadway and two carpool lanes are open from Broadway to the SR-55 connector

This interim configuration is expected to remain in place through the end of July.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

There are no nighttime closures planned for the week of July 6. Nighttime closures will resume the week of July 14.

Daytime concrete barrier construction and drainage activities continue throughout the corridor from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind k-rail. In addition, crews will be performing curb and sidewalk removals on southbound Main Street during the day.

This work may be loud. Dates and times are subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen operational factors.

Getting to Main Street

The I-5/Main Street carpool bridge was demolished in early August 2019 to make room for a second carpool lane on I-5 between SR-55 and SR-57. Motorists who normally use the Main Street carpool bridge can check out our Getting to Main Street map.

Documents & Downloads

Documents

• Project Fact Sheet
• Project Fact Sheet (Spanish)
• Project FAQs
• Getting to Main Street Map
• I-5/Main Street Carpool Ramp Demo Detour Map
• I-5 Central Project General Information
• Text Alerts
• I-5 Central Continuous Access Map
• I-5/Main Street Carpool Ramp and Bridge Demolition FAQ

Press Releases

• I-5 Freeway Construction in Central O.C. Gets Going
• Northbound I-5 Set to Close Overnight in Central O.C.
• Northbound I-5 Set to Close Overnight in Central O.C. (Español)

CEQA and NEPA Resources

• https://ceq.doe.gov/
• http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/more/faq.html
• http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/guidelines/
• http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/