SR-91 New Eastbound Lane Addition (SR-241 to SR-71) - FINISHED!
The First Step To A Better Commute, A Better Connection
As the first step to A Better 91, the Eastbound Lane Addition Project was finished when the new lane opened to drivers on December 2, 2010.
Officials from OCTA, Caltrans, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) celebrated the completion of the new lane along with numerous transportation partners including Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, OCTA Chairman Jerry Amante and former Mayor of Anaheim Curt Pringle, Supervisors Bill Campbell and RCTC Chairman Bob Buster, Assemblymember and Vice-Chair of the State Assembly Transportation Committee, Jeff Miller and Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries.
To mark the occasion, officials applauded the partners and crewmembers for their commitment to improving congestion, then proceeded to take the ceremonial first drive in three Ford Motor Company hybrids.
Project Benefits
In addition to the new lane through one of the county's worst bottlenecks, the project delivered a number of other important capital and operational benefits, including:
• Newly standardized 12-foot lanes throughout the project area
• A newly constructed 12-foot emergency shoulder
• New lighting, metal beam and concrete barriers
• New overhead and directional signage
• Five (5) widened bridges
• Ten (10) retaining walls
• Increased capacity
• Reduced merging and weaving
On The Fast-Track
Typically, a project of this magnitude takes about three years to finish. However, the construction management team and contractors implemented an aggressive construction schedule to minimize long-term impacts to drivers and the community.
In order to meet this schedule, crews worked double and overnight shifts to complete the project within approximately one year—all without having to apply full freeway closures on SR-91.
Supporting Local Businesses
An added project benefit was that many of the construction materials and supplies required for the Eastbound SR-91 Lane Addition were purchased from local businesses. A summary of major items is provided below:
• 2.3 million pounds of rebar procured from the Inland Empire
• 58,000 cubic yards of concrete and 3,600 cubic yards of shotcrete purchased from both Orange and Riverside County vendors
• 5,700 tons of asphalt came from Orange and Riverside County businesses
• 32,000 feet of fiber rolls and silt fencing was provided by an Anaheim-based supplier
Project Funding
The SR-91 Eastbound Lane Addition Project is Orange County's first major freeway construction project to be finished using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 2009 funds.
A total of $47.9 million ARRA funds contributed to the construction phase of the project.
The planning and design portion of the project was funded by $12 million from OCTA's 91 Express Lanes Toll Revenue and $5 million from RCTC.
Project Materials & Photos
Completion Event
Contact Information
Fernando Chavarria
Manager of Community Outreach
(714) 560-5306 | fchavarria@octa.net | Twitter
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