Public Hearings Set on 405 Widening

It’s no secret the 405 Freeway moves at a snail’s pace during peak hours. But some relief may be on the way.

Residents and commuters are invited to a series of public hearings to learn about a proposed 405 Improvement Project and comment on an environmental impact report scheduled to be released May 18.

“The 405 freeway has had limited improvements since 1989 and it's one of the most heavily traveled in the nation,” said Orange County Transportation Authority spokesman Joel Zlotnik.

The project calls for widening the 405 between Euclid Street and the 605 Freeway. The environmental impact report will outline the effects associated with each of three construction alternatives.

Plan 1 would add one general purpose lane in each direction and cost $1.3 billion.  Plan 2 would add two general purpose lanes in each direction and costs $1.4 billion. Plan 3 would add a general purpose lane and a toll express lane that would combine with the existing carpool lane. If Plan 3 is selected, the toll revenue would be used for future improvement projects.

“Part of the environmental process is to review all these alternatives and then the board will make a decision based on the locally preferred alternative,” Zlotnik said.  “Once all of the [public] comments are received, OCTA reviews them, analyzes all the impacts" and makes a decision.

According to Zlotnik, the project would not require bulldozing any houses, but four businesses might have to be removed.

Construction could take about four and a half years. 

The following public hearings are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include a project presentation at 6:30 p.m.:

• June 4, at the Orange Coast College Student Center
• June 6 at the Westminster Community Services Facility
• June 7 at Rush Park Auditorium
• June 14 at the Fountain Valley Senior Center

For information on how to read the environmental impact report and submit comments visit www.octa.net/405improvement.