Mission Viejo commemorates completion of the I-5 Widening Project

Four City Council Members joined local and state officials in Mission Viejo on Wednesday to commemorate the completion of the I-5 Widening Project between State Route 73 and El Toro Road.

The $687 million project, led by the Orange County Transportation Authority in partnership with Caltrans and the cities of Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Laguna Niguel, spans 6.5 miles and includes:

• A second carpool lane added between Alicia Parkway and El Toro Road
• A new general-purpose lane added in each direction
• New auxiliary lanes between interchanges
• Interchange improvements and reconstructed ramps at La Paz Road, Avery Parkway and Los Alisos Boulevard
• Upgrades to local streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes for improved safety and connectivity
• Decorative retaining walls reflecting South County's ranching heritage

The project, which started in 2019, was originally scheduled for completion in 2023, but was delayed by COVID-19, unusually heavy rainy seasons and contaminated soil issues.

The City of Mission Viejo is proud of this collaborative project that has significantly benefited the region.