The speed limit on I-405 has been reduced to 55 mph between SR-73 and I-605 for the safety of drivers and construction crews
ORANGE – As construction on the I-405 speeds up, motorists are cautioned to slow down.
The speed limit on Interstate 405 has recently been reduced to 55 mph throughout the I-405 Improvement Project limits, which includes 16 miles between SR-73 in Costa Mesa and I-605 near the L.A. County line. The new speed limit, reduced from 65 mph, was posted earlier this month for the safety of drivers and crews during the project’s construction.
The 55 mph speed limit will be in place for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2023. New speed limit signs have been installed to allow the California Highway Patrol to enforce the lower speed limit.
Drivers are advised to slow down and proceed with caution whenever signs of highway work are present. This will significantly reduce the potential for incidents on the freeway. Also, drivers whose vehicles become disabled should pull off at the nearest exit, if possible.
Additionally, state law allows traffic fines to be doubled for violations that occur in highway work areas.
The $1.9 billion I-405 Improvement Project will add one regular lane in each direction between SR-73 and I-605 and a second lane in each direction in the center of the freeway that will combine with the existing carpool lanes to form the 405 Express Lanes.
This 16-mile segment of I-405 is one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation, and both the regular lanes and carpool lanes are heavily congested during rush hour and on weekends. The project is critical to accommodate expected employment, population and housing growth throughout the region.
For more information on the project, and to sign up for construction alerts, visit octa.net/405improvement.
