Council Supports Plan to Add Four More Lanes to the 405

A $1.4 billion plan to add four more lanes to an often-crowded stretch of 405 Freeway won support from the Fountain Valley City Council last night.

Council members voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution July 17 in favor of a proposal to add two lanes to both sides of the 405 from Euclid Street to the 605 Freeway.

In May, Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Authority presented county residents with three constructions alternatives for the 405 Improvement Project, along with one “no build option” under which no construction would be done.

Alternative One would add two lanes and cost about $1.3 billion, and Alternative Three would add four lanes -- two of them toll roads -- and cost about $1.7 billion.

Council members supported the item recommended by city staff Alternative Two, which is expected to cost about $1.4 billion.

Councilman Steve Nagel, who made the motion supporting the option, said it offered "the most long-term efficiencies that we can bring to this area for the next 40 years.”

“I believe this is going to get us where we need to go,” Nagel said.

During public comments, Vern Nelson, Fountain Valley resident, urged council members not to support establishing toll roads on the 405.

Nelson, a musician and political blogger, said that when voters approved Measure M they didn't OK toll roads. 

“With Alternative Two, we’ll have seven lanes (on each side of the freeway). That’s what we voted for and that’s what we paid for,” Nelson said. "No more, no less.”

Nelson also encouraged attendees to visit the website www.no405tolls.com.

Councilman Larry Crandall said he would abstain from the vote because he is on OCTA Board of Directors.

Editor’s Note: Patch Guest Editor John Crandall is not related to Councilman Crandall.

To read the City Council agenda, click here.

Check back later today for updates on last night's City Council meeting.