Orange County Opens New Express Lanes on 405 Freeway

Cars merge onto the Highway 73 southern interchange from the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, Calif., on April 21, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

COSTA MESA, Calif.—After nearly six years of construction, express lanes opened Dec. 1 on the 405 Freeway between Costa Mesa and southern Los Angeles County, promoting a faster ride for people willing to pay the toll.

The $2.16 billion project, which began in 2018, added one new lane in each direction as well as express lanes between state Route 73 and the 605 Freeway, a first for Orange County freeways. The project also included upgrades to streets and on- and off-ramps through the cities affected. Crews also reconstructed 18 bridges, some of which include new sidewalks and bike lanes.