I-405 Widening Design and Construction Support Services

 

Location

Not applicable

City or County Responsible for Project

City of Fountain Valley

Category

Roads: Efficient and Sustainable Road Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects.

Description

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), improved the mainline freeway and interchanges on Interstate 405 in Orange and Los Angeles counties. The project relieves congestion and improves operational efficiency on I-405 between State Route 73 (SR-73) and Interstate 605 (I-605) and the city streets in the City of Fountain Valley. The overall construction value of the project was $1.5 billion and work was completed in five years, with the ribbon cutting celebration taking place on December 1, 2023.

This design-build project significantly improves traffic movement, reduces congestion-related accidents, and improves traffic flow within the City of Fountain Valley. Seven bridges at Ward Street, Talbert Avenue, Brookhurst Street, Slater Avenue, Bushard Street, Warner Street, and Magnolia Street interchanges were removed, reconfigured, and reconstructed to new standards. The bridges were widened, on- and off-ramps were reconfigured, retaining and soundwalls were installed, City streets were widened, utilities were relocated/replaced (water, sewer, fiber optics, power, and drainage facilities), and traffic signals were improved. ADA access was improved through curb ramps and sidewalks, safety fencing was installed, barriers were placed, and City streets were improved through paving, street lighting, striping and signing, and installation of new irrigation and landscaping throughout the city.

The City of Fountain Valley, with the support of Psomas, managed the project and construction management elements, including review of hundreds of submittals and thousands of plan sheets, negotiated with OCTA and the Construction Contractor (OC405) in constructing all improvements to the latest standards and operational requirements. Construction was completed with minimal safety concerns, no third-party liabilities against the City, and with enhanced materials and construction quality, which will significantly reduce maintenance costs in future years. Note that all traffic signals, streetlights, and safety lighting incorporate LED technology for sustainability and life cycle cost reduction.

The City delivered the project with zero claims (third party liability and construction) by performing extensive constructability reviews, risk management (saving over $7.5 million for waterline relocations in bridges), providing preconstruction and construction support, negotiating with the contractor to refine project scope and construction, managing contract and budget, and overseeing estimates/bids within the City right of way.