OHLA USA is the lead and managing partner of OC 405 Partners responsible for performing the contract to design and construct the I-405 Improvement Project. The effort has added one new general-purpose lane in each direction and a second lane in each direction that combined with the existing carpool lanes to create the 405 Express Lanes along the corridor between State Route 73 and Interstate 605.
Key elements of the project, which stretches from Costa Mesa to the Los Angeles County line, include a total of 18 bridges that were demolished and reconstructed, many with new sidewalks and added bike lanes. The project team added ramps, upgraded drainage, and relocated utilities, in addition to constructing and installing hundreds of retaining and soundproofing walls. The massive undertaking was one of the most significant infrastructure contracts underway in the western United States.
“We are thrilled to be here today to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Daniel Ruiz, OHLA USA’s CEO. “The event is a testament to the dedication and commitment of many important contributors, especially our clients, OCTA and Caltrans, and the OC 405 team that worked tirelessly to prioritize safety and community convenience to complete this contract that has paved the way to a faster future for the traveling public.”
The project met many sustainability objectives including the recycling of 710,000 tons of concrete, which was reused for the base layer of the new lanes. In addition to reducing emissions, the effort will improve travel reliability by eliminating bottlenecks, resulting in fewer traffic delays. It is estimated that commute times will be reduced by half for nearly 400,000 daily drivers.
