New Lanes Open; Other I-5 Work Continues

Within a week, new lanes will open along six miles of the Santa Ana Freeway, the first completed portion of the massive Interstate 5 widening project. Several projects are underway, while others will begin in a few years.

Car-Pool Lanes: From Street to Freeway

The county’s first freeway ramp leading directly to and from a car-pool lane will open in October at Barranca Parkway. More of these “drop ramps” will be appearing along the I-5.

Car-Pool Lanes: Freeway to Freeway

Car-pool lanes will be directly linked by “transit ways” to car-pool lanes on other freeways. The Santa Ana (5)-Costa Mesa (55) freeway connection:

The Widened Freeway

Currently, the Santa Ana Freeway is three lanes in each direction. When finished, it will have one car-pool lane and five general-use lanes each way. Auxiliary lanes will help traffic enter and exit the freeway.

Note: North of the Orange Crush, freeway will only have four general-use lanes.

Costly Land

The percentage of project funds spent on acquiring right of way for the I-5 widening is much higher in the northern, more developed portion of Orange County.

Between ‘Orange Crush’ and Riverside (91) Freeway Total cost: $901 million Construction: 54% Right of way: 46% *

Between Costa Mesa Freeway and El Toro Y Total cost: $142 million Construction: 88% Right of way: 12% Note: Right of way includes cost of land and relocating homes, businesses and utilities.

*

Santa Ana / Riverside Freeway Interchange (91)

Construction: 1997 to 2000

Cost: $122 million

Highlights: Direct connectors from I-5 to the 91 freeway car-pool lanes. New lanes on 91.

*

Widening

Construction: 1997 to 2000.

Cost: $901 million.

Highlights: Several drop ramps will be added as well as direct car-pool lane connections with Disneyland.

*

Orange Crush Interchange

Opens: Mid-1996.

Cost: $103 million.

Highlights: Direct connectors from I-5 to the Orange (57) Freeway car-pool lanes.

*

Widening I-5 Segment

Opens: Mid-1996.

Cost: $211 million.

Highlights: Drop ramps at Main Street and Grand Avenue.

*

Santa Ana / Costa Mesa (55) Freeway Interchange

Opens: Early 1996.

Cost: $168 million.

Highlights: Adds direct connectors from I-5 to 55 freeway.

NEW LANES OPENING THIS WEEK

Cost: $142 million.

Highlights: New car-pool lane and two general-use lanes each direction. Drop ramp at Barranca.

*

El Toro Y

Construction: 1994 to 1997.

Cost: $148 million.

Highlights: Direct connection between I-5 Freeway and San Diego (405) Freeway car-pool lanes.

Widening I-5 Segment

Construction: 1994 to 1996.

Cost: $63 million.

Highlights: Two car-pool lanes in each direction north of Alicia Parkway.

Note: All dates subject to change. Costs shown are in 1991 dollars.

Source: Caltrans