ORANGE – Repaving of the westbound 91 Express Lanes is scheduled to resume this weekend, potentially resulting in significant traffic delays.
To complete the work, the entire westbound 91 Express Lanes will close from 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 to 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7.
The construction work also will require intermittent closures of the regular lane of the SR-91 closest to the express lanes in the work area, which is a 2.5-mile stretch between Gypsum Canyon Road and just west of Weir Canyon Road.
Work began in early September on the repavement project, requiring 10 weekend closures of the SR-91.
Drivers are asked to plan ahead, use alternate routes such as the I-10, SR-60 and SR-71, and avoid the area if possible because travel times could be double or more of what is typical for weekend traffic.
People are encouraged to share the closure information with family and friends and to remind others about the scheduled closures.
The 91 Express Lanes is traveled by more than 12 million drivers every year and it’s vital that this pavement work is completed to maintain the safety and efficiency of the lanes. Asphalt on highways in Southern California needs to be replaced approximately every 20 years and the 91 Express Lanes has not been repaved since its opening in 1995.
The 91 Weekend Shift will continue on weekends through early December, except for the Nov. 11 Veterans Day weekend and the weekend following Thanksgiving.
After this weekend’s construction, westbound closures of the 91 Express Lanes are scheduled for 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the following days:
- Nov. 18 – 21
- Dec. 2 – 5
Rain has interfered with the construction schedule on two previous weekends and the construction schedule is subject to change. Look for updates at octa.net/91weekendshift.
Funding for the $24.4 million project comes from money set aside from tolls paid by drivers of the 91 Express Lanes. No taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the project.
In addition to the pavement work, the project includes replacing six changeable message signs, restriping, replacing channelizers, completing electrical work and replacing pavement markers. The entire project is expected to be completed by January 2017.
The 91 Express Lanes is a four-lane, 10-mile toll facility located between SR-55 and the county’s border with Riverside.
