To address current and future traffic demand, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is improving nine miles of I-5 from north of Interstate 405 to State Route 55, adding new general-purpose and auxiliary lanes, improving interchanges, and modernizing key sections of the corridor. OCTA and Caltrans are working with the neighboring cities of Irvine and Tustin in a major effort to improve mobility, enhance safety, and reduce congestion along one of Orange County’s busiest freeways.
Project Overview
Interstate 5 is essential to Orange County’s mobility, economy, and quality of life, and is the backbone of California’s Critical Freight Corridor. Every day more than 276,000 motorists drive this segment of I-5 through the cities of Irvine and Tustin, to reach commercial, employment, residential, and educational destinations.
The project will be constructed in two segments. The north segment will span from approximately I-405 to Yale Avenue in Irvine, and is being constructed by Security Paving Co. The south segment will focus on the stretch of I-5 from Yale to SR-55 in Tustin, and is being built by Granite Construction.
Segment 1, Between I-405 And Yale Avenue
Security Paving
Anticipated Construction Schedule: Spring 2026 to Mid-2029
Segment Improvements
- Add one general-purpose (regular) lane in each direction
- Add auxiliary (on- and off-ramp merge) lanes
- Modify ramp configurations on select interchanges
Segment 2, Between Yale Avenue and SR-55
Granite Construction
$147 million
Anticipated Construction Schedule: Spring 2026 to Late 2029
Segment Improvements
- Add one general-purpose (regular) lane in each direction
- Add auxiliary (on- and off-ramp merge) lanes
- Modify ramp configurations on select interchanges