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Tag Archives: 55 Freeway

The SR-55 improvement project receives $140 million from the CTC

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded $140 million in competitive state transportation funding, a major boost to help build the State Route 55 Improvement Project between I-5 and I-405 in central Orange County.

The funding comes from the California Transportation Commission (CTC), which awarded $115 million from the SB1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program and $25 million from the SBI Local Partnership Competitive Program.

“We are very thankful to the CTC and Caltrans for recognizing the importance of the SR-55 improvement project for Orange County and for the support of so many local elected officials and partners to help OCTA move forward with these vital improvements,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove.

The SR-55 Improvement Project is a critical part of fulfilling the promise of Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax – overwhelming renewed by voters in 2006 – to make improvements to freeways, streets and public transit.

SR-55 is a vital north-to-south freeway that links central Orange County to the coastal region. More than 260,000 vehicles use that stretch of SR-55 every day, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 275,000 vehicles by 2040.

The freeway is also an important route for commercial traffic with an estimated 17,000 daily truck trips. The improvements are expected to save up to 1,500 hours in daily truck travel time, helping improve air quality, as well.

The SR-55 project will add a regular lane and a carpool lane in each direction between I-5 near Santa Ana and Tustin and I-405 near Irvine and Costa Mesa. It will also add auxiliary lanes to help traffic smoothly enter and exit the freeway. The improvements will increase access to job centers, healthcare and educational facilities, South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport, among other important destinations for the region.

The project is estimated to cost $474 million with additional funds coming from Measure M, also known as OC Go, and other state and federal funding. It has completed the design phase and construction is expected to begin in 2022. Improvements are estimated to be finished in 2026.

For more information, visit: www.octa.net/sr55.

The S. and N. SR-55 connectors to the S. I-405 will be closed this weekend

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

The Southbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 will be closed for the entire weekend so that Caltrans crews can complete the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for this connector that ties-into Southbound I-405 and the Off-Ramp to the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. Similarly, the Northbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 Southbound will also be closed to accommodate this work along with the Southbound SR-55 MacArthur Boulevard On-ramp that will also be closed from Santa Ana (use Bristol Street or MacArthur Boulevard at the I-405 for access instead).

In support of this work, the I-405 Southbound #5 and #6 lanes between Bristol Street and MacArthur Boulevard will also be closed. However, access from Bristol Street to Southbound I-405 will be open along with the access to the Southbound I-405 to Northbound SR-55 Connector. Similarly, the I-405 Southbound MacArthur Boulevard Off-ramp will be open to access the Airport. These closures will be from Friday, September 11, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, September 14, 2020 at 5 a.m.

These closures can be expected to cause delays to access the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. The detour to access the airport from Southbound SR-55 is:
1. Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound,
2. Exit Bristol Street,
3. Turn left on Bristol Street,
4. Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
5. Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination. The Southbound I-405 MacArthur Boulevard Off-Ramp will be open.

The detour for Northbound SR-55 to Southbound I-405 is:
1. Take Northbound SR-55 to MacArthur Boulevard Exit,
2. Turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard and continue over the I-405 Freeway, and
3. Turn left onto the I-405 Southbound On-Ramp or continue straight to the airport.

For Southbound I-405 traffic, take the I-405 south and follow the signs to your destination. The Southbound I-405 MacArthur Boulevard Off-Ramp will be open. Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

Weekend closure of the S. and N. 55 Fwy. connectors to the S. 405 Fwy.

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, OCTA, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

The Southbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 will be closed for the next three consecutive weekends so that Caltrans crews can complete the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for this connector that ties-into Southbound I-405 and the Off-Ramp to the Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) Airport. The Northbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 Southbound will also be closed to accommodate this work. The entire weekend closures will be on the following dates:

• Friday, August 14, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 17, 2020 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, August 21, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 24, 2020 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, August 28, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 31, 2020 at 5 a.m.

These closures will cause significant delays to access the Airport and the detour to access the Airport from Southbound SR-55 is:

1. Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound,
2. Exit Bristol Street,
3. Turn left on Bristol Street,
4. Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
5. Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination.

The detour for Northbound SR-55 to Southbound I-405 is:

1. Take Northbound SR-55 to MacArthur Boulevard Exit,
2. Turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard and continue over the I-405 Freeway, and
3. Turn left onto the I-405 Southbound On-Ramp or continue straight to the Airport.

Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

Updated information about this weekend’s 405 and 55 connector closures

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

Please see the updated map showing closures for both the Southbound and Northbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connectors to Southbound I-405 for this upcoming weekend.

The Southbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 will be closed for the entire weekend so that Caltrans crews can complete the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for this connector that ties-into Southbound I-405 and the Off-Ramp to the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. The Northbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 Southbound will also be closed to accommodate this work. The closure will be from Friday, August 7, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 10, 2020 at 5 a.m.

This closure will cause significant delays to access the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport and the detour to access the airport from Southbound SR-55 is:

1. Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound,
2. Exit Bristol Street,
3. Turn left on Bristol Street,
4. Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
5. Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination.

The detour for Northbound SR-55 to Southbound I-405 is:

1. Take Northbound SR-55 to MacArthur Boulevard Exit,
2. Turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard and continue over the I-405 Freeway, and
3. Turn left onto the I-405 Southbound On-Ramp or continue straight to the airport.

Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

Temporary closure of the Southbound SR-55 connector to the I-405 to start on 8/7

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Public Works, Santa Ana, Traffic 4 Comments

The Southbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector at I-405 will be closed for the whole weekend so that Caltrans crews can complete the Continuous Reinforcement Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for the Southbound SR-55 connector to I-405 that ties-into the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. To accommodate this work, the closure will be from Friday, August 7, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 10, 2020 at 5 a.m.

This closure will cause significant delays to access the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport and detours to access the airport and I-405 south from SR-55 are:

• Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound
• Exit Bristol Street,
• Turn left on Bristol Street,
• Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
• Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination.

Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

The OCFA is fighting a vehicle fire at the 55 Freeway and E. 17th St.

Posted on by Posted in Fires, OCFA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OCFA firefighters are on the scene at the northbound 55 Freeway at 17th. St. for a large vehicle fire, according to an OCFA Tweet.

Three lanes are shut down for fire suppression activities.

More info to follow as this story develops.

A man who was walking on the 55 Fwy. this morning was struck by a car and killed

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, CHP, Traffic, Tustin Leave a comment

A pedestrian was struck and killed while walking on the 55 Freeway early Tuesday morning, while several motorists were injured in a pair of crashes, according to the O.C. Register.

The man was seen walking between the carpool and fast lanes of the northbound 55 Freeway at about 5:40 a.m. CHP officers responded but before they could arrive the man was struck by a Honda Accord. Continue reading→

The CHP is looking for a hit and run driver who caused a fatal car accident at the 55 Freeway on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, CHP, Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

A hit and run driver who caused a fatal car accident on the 55 Freeway last Saturday afternoon, at about 2:25 p.m., is now being sought by the CHP, according to the O.C. Register.

The suspect was behind the wheel of a white sedan, headed south on the 55 Freeway, when he cut off a 2015 Mazda 6, causing that driver to swerve and crash into the side of a 2010 Toyota Sienna. The Toyota then careened into a 2017 Honda Pilot which went on to slam into a center divider. That Toyota also hit the center divider and proceeded to roll over several times. Continue reading→

Caltrans proposes modifications to the 55 Freeway

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer, Transportation Leave a comment

Caltrans Proposes Modifications to State Route 55

By: O.C. Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Portions courtesy of Lauren Averill

After years of discussion with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has finally agreed on a solution to the present issue of highway congestion on State Route 55. Orange County voters approved a measure in 2006 to add new highway lanes in each direction within the existing right-of-way. One of the measure’s newest projects specifically deals with the addition of lanes on SR-55, between the I-405 and I-5. Caltrans and OCTA have discussed several possibilities to decrease the ongoing congestion for this portion of the highway. After extensive collaboration, both entities settled on the addition of new traffic and HOV lanes. Continue reading→

Man who ran across 55, forcing shutdown, ends up in the hospital

Posted on by Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana police officers approached a man near the Dyer Road overpass and the 55 Freeway early Sunday morning, fearing he was about to jump.  They say that’s when the man, who was only dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, bolted back and forth across the freeway lanes, which ended up being closed by the CHP, according to ABC News.

Police made contact with the man, but he refused to cooperate, according to Santa Ana police officers.  There was a confrontation and struggle between the man and police, according to KTLA. Continue reading→