OCTA Invites Public Input on Proposed I-5/El Toro Road Interchange Improvements

Draft environmental document is available for review; public hearings on the report scheduled for Aug. 26 and Sept. 2

ORANGE - The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is inviting the public to review and comment on a draft environmental document evaluating proposed improvements to the I-5 interchange at El Toro Road.

The draft environmental document is available for public review, and community members are encouraged to learn about the proposed project, ask questions and provide input during the public comment period, which runs through Monday, Sept. 14.

OCTA and Caltrans will host two public hearings - one in person and one virtually - to provide information about the project and the alternatives being studied. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak with the project team, ask questions and submit formal comments.

• The in-person public hearing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills. No registration is required.
• A virtual public hearing will be held via Zoom from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. Participants can register in advance through the project website.

The I-5 El Toro Road Interchange Project is intended to address congestion and improve freeway operations and mobility in the cities of Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest. The interchange currently experiences congestion and delays caused in part by traffic queues at intersections connecting freeway ramps and local streets.

The project is in the environmental review phase, during which OCTA and Caltrans are studying a no-build alternative and two potential build alternatives, including:

• Build Alternative 1 - Southbound I-5 Hook Ramps: The existing southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps would be replaced with a hook ramp connecting to Avenida de la Carlota. The alternative would include new ramp alignments, a new bridge over El Toro Road and a realignment of Avenida de la Carlota.

A design variation, Build Alternative 1A, includes the same proposed improvements along with a new public street connecting the Village of Laguna Hills development to the proposed southbound I-5/Avenida de la Carlota intersection.

• Build Alternative 3 - Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management: This alternative would install intelligent transportation systems as a standalone improvement to enhance traffic signal synchronization in the project area.
• No Build Alternative: No improvements would be made to the I-5/El Toro Road interchange, and existing conditions would remain in place.

Build Alternative 2 had proposed a southbound I-5 flyover to serve El Toro Road East and West but was eliminated because it was inconsistent with state policy.

The draft environmental document analyzes the potential effects of the alternatives and provides the public with an opportunity to review the findings and submit comments before the environmental review process is completed.

How to submit comments

The public comment period runs through Sept. 14. Comments may be submitted in the following ways:

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
Caltrans District 12
Division of Environmental Analysis
1750 E. 4th Street, Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Mailed comments must be postmarked by Sept. 14.

Physical copies of the draft environmental document are also available for review at the following locations:

• Caltrans District 12 Office
• Laguna Woods Library & City Hall
• Laguna Hills Library
• El Toro Library

Comments received during the review period will become part of the project's environmental record and will be considered as the environmental review process moves forward.

Info: https://www.octa.net/i5ElToro.

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