Construction project yields smoother sailing on 405

OCTA UPDATE

One year after the completion of the I-405 Improvement Project, drivers are experiencing easier and quicker commutes along one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation.

The project, led by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) in partnership with Caltrans, opened to traffic on Dec. 1, 2023, bringing transformative improvements to a 16-mile stretch of I-405 between Costa Mesa and the Los Angeles County line. The $2.1-billion investment was designed to reduce congestion and accommodate an expected growth in employment, population and housing throughout the region.

The project, a cornerstone Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, included one new regular lane in each direction and created the 405 Express Lanes. It also made improvements to streets and freeway on- and off-ramps, and reconstructed 18 bridges, many now featuring new sidewalks and bike lanes.

The improvements have reduced travel times for drivers in the regular lanes, while the 405 Express Lanes offer additional time savings for those who choose to carpool or pay a toll to use them.

“The I-405 Improvement Project has been a significant investment in Orange County’s transportation system, making daily life easier for local businesses, families and commuters,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “By reducing travel times and improving connections, we’re supporting the wellbeing of our communities and ensuring our region continues to thrive.”

Whether commuting for work, running errands or heading for a weekend outing, drivers in the regular lanes are saving time thanks to the I-405 Improvement Project. Travel times have been reduced by up to 12 minutes during the northbound weekday evening rush hour between SR-73 and I-605, helping drivers get home sooner, spend more time with family or enjoy other activities.

For drivers seeking even greater time savings and reliability, the 405 Express Lanes offers a free-flowing, congestion-free option.

Drivers traveling northbound in the 405 Express Lanes can save more than 20 minutes during weekday evening peak hours compared to using the carpool lanes that existed prior to the project’s construction in 2018.

Traveling the full 14 miles in the 405 Express Lanes takes approximately 15 minutes at all hours, allowing drivers to plan a reliable commute. Whether heading to an important meeting or making it home for a child’s recital, drivers can count on the 405 Express Lanes to get them there on time.

“This project is a great example of how collaboration and innovation can improve the quality of life for Orange County’s residents, workers and visitors,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “The I-405 Improvement Project is not only helping people save time, but also providing drivers with more choices for how they travel.”

The 405 Express Lanes allows carpools of three or more people to travel free at all times and vehicles with two people can travel for free during non-peak hours. All vehicles are required to have a FasTrak transponder and a valid account with any toll agency in California to use the 405 Express Lanes, and a switchable FasTrak Flex transponder is required to receive the carpool discounts.

Since opening, the 405 Express Lanes has been widely used, with more than 16 million trips taken in the first year. To learn more about how the I-405 Improvement Project has transformed travel in Orange County, watch the OCTA video on YouTube. For more information about the 405 Express Lanes, visit 405ExpressLanes.com.