Andrew Oftelie,
Chief Financial Officer
Freeway improvements on 1-mile stretch between Orangewood and Katella avenues build on previous widening through important stretch of SR-57
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is moving forward on a project to improve northbound State Route 57 in a critical part of the central Orange County freeway network.
The OCTA board earlier this week approved a plan to enter into a cooperative agreement with Caltrans and to release of request for proposals to find a qualified consultant to prepare plans, estimates and specifications.
The SR-57 Northbound Improvement project will extend a fifth regular freeway lane along a 1-mile stretch of the northbound freeway between Orangewood and Katella avenues, at the border of Anaheim and Orange.
“This important Measure M project builds upon investments OCTA has already made to enhance the 57 freeway,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Once it is complete, commuters and truck traffic will enjoy more efficient and consistent trips through central Orange County.”
In recent years, OCTA worked with Caltrans on additional improvements through the area, including widening the 57 freeway and improving on- and off-ramps between Anaheim and Brea.
The 57 freeway serves as a vital north/south link in the central part of the county for commuters and commercial truck traffic.
The ramps in that area are used by drivers to reach important entertainment destinations, including Angel Stadium, Honda Center and Disneyland Resorts, as well as the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC).
One of the unique engineering challenges of the project is widening the ramp above the existing rail tracks used by Metrolink and Pacific Surfliner trains. Plans call for making the improvements while not affecting rail traffic.
OCTA and Caltrans worked with the cities of Anaheim and Orange to complete the environmental review process in 2019.
The project, estimated to cost approximately $50 million, is scheduled to break ground in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
For more information, visit www.octa.net/57fwy.
