I-5 Managed Lanes Project (Red Hill Ave. to OC/LA County Line)

The I-5 Managed Lanes Project includes a 15.5-mile section of Interstate 5 (I-5) between Red Hill Avenue, south of State Route 55 (SR-55), and the Orange/Los Angeles County Line that will address operational deficiencies related to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) degradation through studies of alternatives that include priced managed lanes (also known as Express Lanes) strategies.

Currently, the Project’s corridor has three major freeway-to-freeway Direct Connectors at SR-55, SR-22/SR-57, and SR-91, four Direct Access Ramps at Grand Avenue, Gene Autry Way, Disney Way, and Disneyland Drive, and at least one HOV lane in each direction. The Project proposes intermediate ingress and egress access locations along the Express Lanes corridor. The purpose of this project is to improve the overall movement of people and goods along this section of I-5 through the cities of Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Buena Park, La Mirada, and Santa Fe Springs.

Project location map displaying from a plan view the limits of the project 

Project Status: Environmental Phase

Caltrans is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Caltrans is preparing a Final Environmental Document (FED) pursuant to CEQA and NEPA guidelines. The Project is currently in the environmental phase. The Draft Environmental Document (DED) was completed in June 2023, and the FED is anticipated for approval in summer 2025. Read more about the environmental study process below.

Upcoming Public Hearing

Caltrans has submitted a Toll Facility Application to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 194. Frazier. This application requests authority to build and operate toll lanes on I-5 in Orange County. As part of the AB 194 process, the CTC holds a public hearing near the project area to solicit feedback prior to making a decision on the Toll Facility Application. Members of the public may attend and provide comments both in person and virtually over Zoom; a date has not yet been set for this meeting. The CTC will not take action on the application at the public hearing. Upon approval of an application, Caltrans may develop and operate the proposed toll facility, subject to the minimum requirements defined in statute.

Environmental Study Process

The environmental study process is an important and mandatory part of project development. This multi-year process includes technical studies and opportunities for public participation and comment, including before and during the DED review phase. It must comply with NEPA and CEQA, as well as any other applicable federal and state laws. Accordingly, Caltrans must analyze potential project alternatives and inform decision-makers and the public about potential environmental impacts.

As part of this process, Caltrans analyzed effects on physical, biological, and human environments. If it is determined that the proposed project may have potentially significant impacts, then measures to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate those impacts must be considered and implemented. Click here more information on NEPA. Click here for more information on CEQA.

The Project’s environmental review phase began with public scoping in 2022 to gather feedback on environmental concerns the public wanted studied. Following completion of the study, a DED was prepared that included the findings of the environmental studies. The DED was circulated for public review and comment in 2023. The approval of a FED is anticipated in summer 2025.

One No Build Alternative and three Build Alternatives, ranging from $10 million to $432 million for the proposed build alternatives, were studied:

  • Alternative No. 1 (No Build)
  • Alternative No. 2 (High Occupancy Vehicles 3+)
  • Alternative No. 3 (Converted Express Lane)
  • Alternative No. 4 (Converted and Expanded Express Lanes)

 

Schematic showing the layout of three build alternatives and one no build alternative 

 

All technical studies have been completed, and the findings are fully described in the DED, included below, that was circulated for public review and comments from June 5 to July 20, 2023. Two public hearings were held to give the public an opportunity to ask questions, receive information, share comments, and speak with Caltrans staff about certain design features of the proposed Project.

In Fall 2023, the Project Team, comprised of professional and technical staff from Caltrans and other agencies of jurisdiction, identified Alternative No. 4 as the recommended Preferred Alternative. In making this selection, the Project Team compared the alternatives analyzed in the DED using the evaluation criteria as defined by the Purpose and Need for the Project as well as criteria determined by the Project Team. These criteria were:

  • Improves the managed lanes network operations
  • Improves corridor mobility and trip reliability
  • Maximizes person throughput by facilitating efficient movement of vehicles including bus and rideshare users
  • The extent in which technology helps manage traffic demand before a preferred alternative was selected.
  • Provides opportunities to invest in local projects for equity communities
  • Provides greenhouse gas reduction
  • Provides multi-modal opportunities
  • Supports a vibrant, resilient economy
  • Provides a safe and secure transportation system
  • Right-of-way acquisitions
  • Project cost
  • Public/Stakeholder input during circulation
  • Community impacts
  • Significant impacts

The FED and Final Project Report will serve as the approval mechanisms for the recommended preferred alternative. Approval is expected in summer 2025.

Equity Workshops

Caltrans hosted two equity workshops in October 2022 and March 2023, during the preparation of an Equity Study. A video recording of the March 2023, equity workshop can be found on the external project website. The equity workshops were specifically designed to welcome voices from the communities who have experienced disproportionate outcomes from transportation projects and to share how proposed changes to the I-5 could impact and benefit day-to-day life. The workshops helped Caltrans make recommendations to improve the project.

Next Steps

  • Summer 2025 – Final Project Report and Final Environmental Document
  • Winter 2026 – Begin Progressive Design-Build Design Phase
  • 2028 – Begin Construction

Project Milestones

Milestone

Timeline

Project Initiation

Caltrans initiates the development of the proposed project

Early 2022

Notice and Public Scoping Meeting

Spring 2022

Technical Studies & Draft Environmental Document

Technical experts conducted preliminary engineering and technical studies for the DED.

2022 – 2023

Public Hearing and Circulate Draft Environmental Document

Technical studies were compiled into the DED and made available for public review and comment during a 45-day circulation period. During circulation two public hearings are held with informational exhibits on display and the project team available to respond to questions. The public was provided the opportunity to provide written and verbal comments

June and July 2023

Identify/recommend preferred alternative

The project development team identifies and recommends a preferred build alternative based on the result of the technical studies and public comment. Caltrans is responsible for the final approval of the preferred build alternative and FED.

Fall 2023

Approve Build Alternative Final Environmental Document

The FED will include identification of the recommended preferred alternative and final approval by Caltrans. Response to comments received during the circulation period will be included in the FED. Caltrans will give notice of the FED availability and provide the public opportunity to review.

Summer 2025

 

Available Resources

Draft Environmental Document (DED)

DED Studies and Reports

Other Resources

For additional materials from the public scoping period and DED circulation period (e.g. PowerPoint videos, online comment form, Equity Workshop recordings) please visit our external project website.

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