OC officials announce $41 million 57 Freeway improvement project

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- More than 150,000 people every day drive a 3-mile stretch of the northbound 57 Freeway that leads to the 91 Freeway in Anaheim.

It's known to many drivers as one of the most congested parts of the freeway. But Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Authority held a news conference on Monday to unveil a $41 million project meant solve the congestion.

"It's important to get people where they want to be in a safe and timely manner, and most important, it gets people home to their families," said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait.

A lane will be added to the northbound 57 Freeway from Katella to Lincoln avenues. The changes also include a continuous HOV lane and the reconstruction of eight freeway ramps.

"There's more capacity to get on and off the freeway, particularly off the freeway, so therefore letting traffic move freer in the mainline of the freeway," said Darrell Johnson, CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

It's an important improvement for an area some call the center of Orange County. The Honda Center sits in the middle of the construction and stands to benefit from the changes.

"My hope is that in years to come is that it's going to allow us, specifically, to get our fans in a lot quicker and out a lot quicker," said Tim Ryan, president of the Honda Center.

Much of the project was funded by Measure M, a voter-approved sales tax for transportation improvements.

One driver says this is a start to easing traffic, but believes more can be done.

"I think it'll help, but it's probably not enough to really offset the volume that we get," said John Morelli of Irvine.