This was the first Measure M project, completed in 1992, set an ongoing Measure M precedent-finishing ahead of schedule and under budget. The project added High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and some auxiliary lanes from the 5/22/57 Interchange to Lambert Road. The HOV lanes were later extended into Los Angeles County. In early 2000, additional improvements were completed at the State Route 91 Interchange that added a direct HOV connector from eastbound SR-91 to northbound SR-57 and the reverse movement.
In an attempt to further increase capacity and reduce congestion on SR-57 a feasibility study was conducted by OCTA last year to examine alternatives for adding an additional lane in each direction between the Los Angeles County line and the 5/22/57 Interchange. This study concluded that because of extensive right of way impacts and expanded traffic at the 5/22/57 Interchange to defer any consideration of capacity improvements until a time that the SR-57 is extended southward toward the I-450 freeway. The study also recommended that even though adding a new lane throughout the entire length of SR-57, the corridor would benefit from operational improvements such as additional auxiliary lanes.
"In March of 2001, an Operations Enhancement Study of SR 57 between the I-5/22/57 Interchange & the Los Angeles County Line was completed to determine the locations that auxiliary lanes could improve traffic flow. This study recommended spot capacity - especially in the northbound direction. OCTA is now completing Project Study Reports (PSRs) for the following projects:
- SR-57 northbound from Orangethorpe to Lambert - Add mixed flow or auxiliary lane capacity.
- SR-57 northbound from the Katella on-ramp to the Lincoln off-ramp - Add auxiliary lane capacity.
These PSRs should be completed this year. Caltrans has also finished a PSR on a truck climbing lane on SR-57 from Lambert to Tonner Canyon.
The next step is the environmental clearance process.