I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project

The Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project, initiated by Caltrans, OCTA, and the City of San Juan Capistrano, is the solution to the “choke point,” where significant delays and congestion occur along the Ortega Highway (SR-74) at the San Diego Freeway (I-5) interchange.

The project will:

• Construct a new traffic interchange that will replace the existing I-5/Ortega Highway interchange
• Reconstruct the existing Ortega Highway bridge over the I-5
• Widen existing on- and off-ramps
• Construct a new northbound I-5 loop on-ramp from  eastbound Ortega Highway
• Realign Ortega Highway to the west of the I-5 interchange to curve into Del Obispo instead of continuing straight into Camino Capistrano

Project Benefits:

• Provide congestion relief to improve local traffic flow as well as ease regional commutes
• Relieve the existing traffic congestion “choke point” at the I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange
• Improve traffic safety and operations at the I-5/Ortega Highway interchange
• Eliminate existing geometric deficiencies
• Create consistency with existing and planned local development