Meeting to take place in San Clemente for the public to learn about the project and alternatives being studied as part of the environmental process
ORANGE – Work is under way to extend the carpool lanes on the San Diego Freeway (I-5) between Avenida Pico in San Clemente and San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano and transportation planners want residents to stay informed about the project.
The public is invited to attend an open house to learn about the project and what alternatives will be studied as part of the environmental process.
The meeting will be held between 6 and 8 p.m., Monday, March 29, at the San Clemente Community Center in the Ole Hanson Room, 100 N. Calle Seville in San Clemente.
In addition to adding a carpool lane in each direction, the proposed project also would provide new merging lanes to relieve traffic at three locations and improve the Avenida Pico interchange.
The I-5 carries about 242,000 vehicles per day near the Camino Capistrano interchange and future projections estimate that number to rise to 300,000, an increase of nearly 25 percent.
The improvements will provide a crucial link in Orange County’s carpool lane network, minimize weaving between traffic lanes where the current carpool lanes end and maintain travel speed for carpool users.
The $444 million project is part of the Measure M2 Early Action Plan, which seeks to jump start projects funded under M2 before the program begins next year.
A public hearing will be held next year to allow residents the opportunity to comment on the project alternatives.
