OCTA Invites Public Input on Proposed SR-57 Truck Climbing Lane Project

Virtual meeting Sept. 30 offers opportunity to learn about proposed improvements on northbound SR-57 in Brea and provide feedback during environmental review

ORANGE - The Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans are inviting the public to learn more and provide input on proposed improvements to northbound State Route 57 in Brea intended to improve traffic flow and accommodate regional goods movement.

A virtual public scoping meeting for the SR-57 Truck Climbing Lane Project is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. The open-house-style meeting will give residents, commuters and other stakeholders an opportunity to learn about the project and preliminary alternatives, meet the project team, ask questions and provide comments as part of the environmental review process.

The meeting is part of a public scoping period that runs through Friday, Oct. 16. Comments received during the scoping period will become part of the public record and will be considered as the team develops the project's environmental document.

The proposed project is studying improvements to northbound SR-57 between Lambert Road and the Orange County/Los Angeles County line. The corridor experiences operational challenges caused by steep and sustained grades, heavy truck traffic and a lane that ends near the Lambert Road off-ramp.

The project is evaluating whether extending the existing outside general-purpose lane as a truck-only climbing lane could help separate slower-moving trucks from other traffic, improve traffic operations and better accommodate regional goods movement.

Three alternatives are currently being studied:

• Alternative 1 -- No Build: Maintain the existing freeway configuration.
• Alternative 2: Add a truck climbing lane on northbound SR-57 from Lambert Road to just south of Tonner Canyon Road. Alternative 3: Add a truck climbing lane on northbound SR-57 from Lambert Road to the Orange County/Los Angeles County line.

The project is in the preliminary environmental and engineering phase. A draft Environmental Document is anticipated in early 2028, followed by a Final Environmental Document in late 2028. The schedule is subject to change.

How to Participate

• The virtual public scoping meeting will be held:
  Wednesday, Sept. 30
  5 to 7 p.m.
  Online via Zoom
  Meeting registration and additional information are available at octa.net/57TruckClimbing
• Public comments will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 16 and may be submitted during the virtual meeting or by:
  Email: [email protected]
• Mail
  Caltrans District 12
  Division of Environmental Analysis
  ATTN: Kathleen Dove
  1750 E. 4th Street, Suite 100
  Santa Ana, CA 92705
  Mailed comments must be postmarked by Oct. 16.

For questions about the project or to request information in another language, contact the project outreach team at (800) 724-0353 or by email at [email protected].

For more information about the SR-57 Truck Climbing Lane Project and the public scoping process, visit OCTA's project webpage at octa.net/57TruckClimbing.

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