Caltrans OKs Toll Road Along Santa Ana River

Caltrans has given the go-ahead to a group studying the feasibility of building a toll road that would connect the Orange Freeway with the San Diego Freeway in central Orange County.

The blessing of the state highway agency--which was expected--clears the way for a new partnership, American Transportation Development, to build the toll road.

Although the new builders have been cleared to obtain a franchise, American Transportation Development has not decided whether to build the toll road.

Traffic studies predicting whether the road will generate enough revenue to succeed are not yet complete, said Laer Pearce, a spokesman for the developer.

But in a written statement, Robert Farris, president of the new development group, said he is “more hopeful than ever that American Transportation will be able to close this missing transportation link for the people of Orange County.”

If the group decides to proceed with the project, the environmental review process for the 11-mile, $1-billion road could start next year.

Under the proposal, the extension of the Orange Freeway would be built above the Santa Ana River bed from the Pond and Edison Field in Anaheim to the San Diego Freeway in Fountain Valley. Stiff opposition from homeowners along its route is anticipated.

On Wednesday, the developer disclosed proposed exit ramps at The City Drive in Orange, First Street in Santa Ana, Warner Avenue on the Fountain Valley/Santa Ana border and on Garfield Avenue in Huntington Beach for westbound traffic only.