The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) released a preliminary screening document today, including an initial evaluation of the twenty (20) public generated traffic relief ideas at its monthly Board Meeting. TCA prepared the document in order to sort, categorize and identify the traffic relief solutions that could potentially provide substantial traffic congestion relief for South Orange County.

Based on a mobility analysis* that was used to screen the ideas, seven (7) Category 4 ideas now advance into the Project Study Report (PSR), including:

1. Idea 9: Connect Ortega Highway and Antonio Parkway to Avery Parkway and SR‑73
2. Idea 11: Add I-5 general-purpose lanes from I-405 to San Diego County line
3. Idea 12: Add I-5 HOT lanes from I-405 to San Diego County line
4. Idea 13: Connect SR-241 to I-5 via the Western Alignment (local connection at La Novia Avenue)
5. Idea 14: Connect SR-241 to I-5 via La Pata Avenue crossing (local connection at Avenida Pico)
6. Idea 17: Connect SR-241 to I-5 via Shorecliffs (local connection at Avenida Vaquero)
7. Idea 18: Connect SR-241 to SR-73 and extend Crown Valley Parkway to SR-241

“With overwhelming public input, the initial screening of the public’s ideas provides the agency with a narrowed list of traffic relief solutions that are within TCA jurisdiction and appear feasible for further technical study,” said Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Chair Ed Sachs.  “Never before has a transportation agency reached out to the public in such an extensive manner prior to developing a Project Study Report in the beginning of environmental review. I am pleased with the progress we are making on identifying long term traffic relief, and look forward to working with other agencies and stakeholders as we move forward.” 

“Based upon the initial screening and mobility analysis that tested feasibility, I am confident a number of the seven remaining solutions offer the greatest possibility of providing traffic relief to South Orange County residents,” said Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Vice-Chair Christina Shea.

“The initial screening document provides both the agency and the public a refined list of traffic relief solutions that could provide substantial benefit to the region,” said Transportation Corridor Agencies Chief Executive Officer, Mike Kraman. “We plan on working collaboratively with local agencies on ideas that provide substantial benefit, but are outside the jurisdiction of the agency, to aid in funding applications and/or preliminary engineering.”

* The mobility analysis consisted of Vehicle Hours of Delay (VHD) for both I-5 and the arterial highway system, as well as Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in South Orange County.  The analysis was conducted using the Orange County Transportation Analysis Model (OCTAM) as well as a qualitative approach. Additional factors include: environmental, regulatory, community impacts and financial considerations. The mobility analysis does not include weekend traffic data because a predictive tool has not been created (by OCTA or Caltrans) to forecast future weekend conditions or test the benefits of ideas.

Statement from TCA Chair Ed Sachs (Audio) (Opens in a new window)
Transcript of Statement from TCA Chair Ed Sachs (PDF)

 Statement from TCA Vice Chair Christina Shea (Audio) (Opens in a new window)
 Transcript of Statement from TCA Vice Chair Christina Shea (PDF)

 Statement from TCA Chief Executive Officer Mike Kraman (Audio) (Opens in a new window)
 Transcript of Statement from TCA Chief Executive Officer Mike Kraman (PDF)