The long-awaited road extension over the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) connecting the Anaheim Resort District and Platinum Triangle finished construction this month.
Anaheim city officials opened the Gene Autry Way Bridge extension at a dedication ceremony last Tuesday.
The $66-million project builds a bridge along Autry Way over the I-5, giving carpools and buses direct access to the Convention Center and Disneyland Resort on the west side, as well as to Angel Stadium, the Honda Center and The Grove of Anaheim on the east.
OCTA Deputy CEO Darrell E. Johnson joined Caltrans District 12 Director Ryan Chamberlain and Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn at the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Johnson expressed his support for the project that will help improve circulation for thousands of vehicles.
“As OCTA works to ease congestion and improve mobility in Southern California, the agency is proud to partner on this project that will deliver these goals for the city of Anaheim and for the Southern California region,” Johnson said. “By linking traffic to the busy area, this important bridge will provide drivers direct access to the heart of the Platinum Triangle and enhance the connection for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center that will soon serve as the new transportation hub for all of Southern California.”
The Gene Autry Way Bridge extension runs through the “Orange Crush,” a two-mile radius of major attractions, and will help increase regional productivity in the area through improved transportation access.
The city of Anaheim, OCTA, Caltrans District 12 and the Federal Highway Administration are partners on this project.