Public Information Meetings for the I-5 Irvine Tustin Project set for 1/26 and 1/28

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 22, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Public Invited to Open Houses on I-5 Project in Irvine, Tustin

Measure M project is in the initial phase of exploring the addition of a general-purpose lane between I-405 and SR-55

ORANGE – The public is invited to two open houses next week to learn about proposed improvements to the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway in Irvine and Tustin.

The Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans are holding the meetings, Jan 26 and Jan. 28, as part of the project approval and environmental document phase for the I-5 Irvine Tustin Freeway Improvement Project.

Held in an open house format, the meetings will provide members of the public the opportunity to learn about the project’s scope, as well as to provide comments related to increasing capacity, improving operations and any potential environmental impacts.

Currently, about 350,000 vehicles travel the I-5 Freeway between the cities of Irvine and Tustin every day and that number is expected reach nearly 500,000 by 2040. This approximately 8.5-mile stretch on I-5, between I-405 and SR-55, connects homes, major employment centers, commercial and entertainment destinations.

The project is part of Measure M, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters for transportation improvements. This initial project stage will study the benefits and potential environmental impacts of increasing capacity on I-5 by one lane in each direction.

While early in the process, the public is encouraged to get familiar with the project and provide input, which is essential in ensuring a successful outcome.

The meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Monday, Jan. 26 in the multipurpose room at Cypress Community Park, 255 Visions in Irvine
• Wednesday, Jan. 28 in the cafeteria at Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real in Tustin

The project’s environmental phase is estimated to be finished in mid-2017, with construction to follow.

Additional information is available at www.octa.net/I5IrvineTustinProject.

# # #