State, local and federal officials celebrated the launch of the SR-91 Improvement Project that will enhance safety and traffic flow along one of the busiest transportation corridors on Orange County, Calif.
The project, between SR-57 and SR-55 will reduce congestion, improve travel times and provide safer conditions, officials said. With a price tag of $779 million, the project, led by Orange County Transportation Authority in partnership with Caltrans, is hoped to enhance connections between major freeways while modernizing key interchanges and rebuilding major overcrossing.
“These improvements to SR-91 are essential to supporting the growing and evolving transportation needs of Orange County residents, commuters, and businesses,” OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee said. “This project will help reduce bottlenecks and create more reliable travel times for the thousands of drivers who rely on this corridor every day.”
The project will be funded through OCTA’s Measure M half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, state funding from Senate Bill 1, federal fund and excess toll revenues form the 91 Express Lanes.
Officials said up to 321,000 vehicles travel the stretch of SR-91 involved daily, and that the number of vehicles is expected to rise in the coming years. The improvements launched recently will help connectivity and congestion in Anaheim, Orange, Placentia, Fullerton and Yorba Linda.
“Caltrans is proud to partner with OCTA and our local cities on this pivotal initiative along one of Orange County’s most traveled corridors,” Caltrans District 12 Director Lan Zhou said. “By upgrading this critical transportation infrastructure, the project will reduce travel times and create a more accessible, efficient and safer roadway for all motorists. The 91 Improvement Project continues to expand multimodal travel options for Southern Californians, allowing for more secure and reliable routes for people who walk and bike.”