I-405

Transportation officials in Orange County, California, have voted to expand the congested 405 Freeway without adding toll lanes, which were strongly opposed by local politicians and members of the public.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board has agreed to add one general-purpose lane in each direction between Costa Mesa and the county line in Seal Beach with an investment of $1.3bn, as part of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) Improvement Project.

As a result, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes will not be a part of the I-405 project, which is being funded through Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

The proposed conversion of existing I-405 lanes into toll lanes received strong public opposition, and after eight months of debate, the board agreed to add general purpose lanes.

"It’s time to move forward and begin improving traffic on I-405."

The California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, has the final decision on the project alternative and that could come as early as the end of the month.

The board also voted for the agency to work with federal, state and local stakeholders and the community to have more comprehensive discussion regarding HOT lanes and the role they may play in improving commutes for Orange County drivers.

OCTA Chairman Greg Winterbottom said: "Measure M is a promise to the voters of Orange County and a top priority for this agency.

"It’s time to move forward and begin improving traffic on I-405 for the hundreds of thousands of people who use it on a daily basis."

Currently, the I-405 project is in the environmental phase and the build alternatives are part of the study to reduce congestion in the area between Costa Mesa and I-605 at the Los Angeles County line.

The I-405 is one of the most congested freeways in Orange County, carrying more than 300,000 vehicle trips in some sections each day.

The other alternatives being evaluated include a no-build alternative; adding two general-purpose lanes each direction at a cost of $1.4bn; adding one general-purpose lane in each direction, and adding a high-occupancy toll lane that would combine with the existing carpool lane to create a two-lane express lanes facility at a cost of $1.7bn.

Image: The I-405 is one of the most congested freeways in Orange County, carrying more than 300,000 vehicle trips in some sections each day. Photo: courtesy of Orange County Transportation Authority.