Countywide : Freeway Widening Forces Closures

The massive Santa Ana Freeway widening project will cause several road closures this week, including one on Main Street, California Department of Transportation officials said.

A full closure of the southbound Santa Ana Freeway from The City Drive to Main Street was to continue until 5 a.m. today.

Another full closure of the northbound Santa Ana Freeway from Main Street to The City Drive is scheduled nightly from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. today through Thursday.

Caltrans suggested that southbound freeway motorists exit at The City Drive, proceed to the eastbound Garden Grove Freeway, continue to the southbound Costa Mesa Freeway and then transition back to the southbound Santa Ana Freeway.

Northbound motorists are urged to exit at the temporary off-ramp near the MainPlace mall and turn left at the ramp’s end in order to go north on Main Street. At Chapman Avenue, motorists can turn left to the northbound Orange Freeway on-ramp or proceed to the northbound Santa Ana Freeway on-ramp.

Main Street itself will be closed for two days this week, Caltrans officials said, for installation of a drainage system.

Main Street will be closed in both directions between Santa Clara Avenue and Owens Drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. today and Wednesday.

Motorists traveling southbound on Main Street near the MainPlace mall can turn right at Owens Drive, turn left at Broadway and turn left again at Santa Clara Avenue in order to return to Main Street.

Motorists traveling northbound on Main Street from downtown Santa Ana can turn left at Santa Clara Avenue, turn right at Broadway, turn right at Owens Drive and return to Main Street.

Freeway Shutdown

Caltrans will close all northbound lanes of the Santa Ana Freeway from the City Drive to Main Street from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. today through Thursday. The following detour is suggested:

1. Exit at the temporary northbound 1-5 off-ramp behind MainPlace Mall, turn left to Main Street.

2. Go north on Main Street, turn left at Chapman Avenue.

3. Use the northbound Orange Freeway on-ramp.

Source: Orange County Transportation Authority