Central County Corridor Study

Background

• Central Orange County is one of the most heavily congested areas in Southern California and is in need of more north/south alternatives for travel. In 2004, the OCTA Board of Directors directed staff to initiate the Central County Corridor Study to look at options to improve travel in this area.
• After eight months of study and comments from more than 1,000 individuals, five conceptual alternatives were identified including:
  • Arterial street improvements
  • Extension of the Orange Freeway (SR-57) from the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) to the San Diego Freeway along the Santa Ana River
  • Widening the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55)
  • Transit improvements in central Orange County
  • In 2005, the Board voted to move these alternatives into a more formal Major Investment Study (MIS); however, they also expressed concern about the need to consult with the Army Corp of Engineers and the Orange County Flood Control District regarding the possibility of extending SR-57.
    

Current Status

 

In consultation with the OCTA Board of Directors, staff conducted and recently finalized an interim study to determine the hydrologic and hydraulic feasibility of extending the SR-57 on structure in the Santa Ana River bed.  This study also provided opportunity for the Army Corp of Engineers and the Orange County Flood Control District to provide comment on the option/matters being studied.  

 

At the October 22, 2007 OCTA Board Meeting, OCTA staff presented the study findings to the OCTA Board of Directors (Board).  At this meeting, the Board voted to receive the report and directed staff to return with the evaluation criteria and request proposals to conduct the Central County Corridor Major Investment Study.  In addition, as part of their directive the Board specified that the State Route 57 extension portion of the study be limited to only options that had a profile lower than the current bridges.  Staff is expected to report back to the Board in late early 2008.

 

For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact Fernando Chavarria at (714) 560-5306 or fchavarria@octa.net.

 

Click on Contact Us if you would like to be added to the study mail list to receive periodic updates.