The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Freeway-to-Freeway Connector to Open in Time for Labor Day Traffic

31 August 2000

New Freeway-to-Freeway Connector to Open in Time for Labor Day Weekend Beach Traffic; New Connector Will Link Northbound 73 to Southbound 55

    COSTA MESA, Calif.--Aug. 30, 2000--The new freeway-to-freeway connector from the northbound State Route 73 (SR-73) to the southbound State Route 55 (SR-55) will open to motorists Friday, Sept. 1, in time for the Labor Day weekend -- the second busiest beach weekend of the year, it was announced by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
    For the first time motorists using the northbound San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (SR-73) or entering the SR-73 after the toll portion ends will have direct freeway access to the cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach via the SR-55 without using surface streets.
    Construction of the $6.5 million project began a year ago last July and is opening on schedule. "Thousands of motorists will benefit from the completion of this connector," said Jim Silva, Orange County supervisor and OCTA board member who chaired a task force that spearheaded this project. "It provides the last missing link in the interchange and will allow traffic to move more efficiently through the area."
    Aileen Segal is one South Orange County commuter who is looking forward to the opening of the connector. "I can't wait," she said. She commutes on the SR-73 from her Laguna Hills home to her job as a Web site designer on Newport Boulevard in Newport Beach. She exits at Birch Street and meanders her way on surface streets back to the SR-55. "Not only will it shave off time, but it will make the whole flow of the commute so much better," she said.
    Silva, who headed the 405/73 Task Force that included representation from local cities, the county and community leaders, is credited with moving this missing freeway connector forward despite the fact there initially was no funding for the project.
    The interchange project, a partnership between OCTA and Caltrans, is jointly funded by the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), the City of Newport Beach and Measure M funds from the City of Costa Mesa. Measure M is the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 for transportation improvements.