Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

costa_mesa.jpg
The Connection Between the Costa Mesa Freeway and I-73

From an article in Today's LA Times on the chronic congestion problems on the Costa Mesa Freeway in Orange County, an Orange County mayor comes so close to figuring out the problem with trying to widen your way out of congestion:

Tustin Mayor Jerry Amante said the traffic on the 55, which cuts through the western part of his city, "is one of the worst bottlenecks in the county."

"We've widened and widened and widened . . . over and over again," he said. "It has given us the most capacity we can get, and really, now we're just tinkering with the margins."

All those road widening projects and still congestion persists.  But don't worry people of the OC, the Times reports that CALTRANS has the answer:

The state is planning to build three auxiliary lanes in the bottleneck area -- a project scheduled to run from 2010 to 2014...

Can someone remind me, what's the definition of insanity again?

Photo:Bigmikelakers/flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Eyes on the Path: L.A. City Adding New Access Points to Chandler Path

New accessible ramp under construction at Strohm Avenue

February 10, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Alissa Walker, Florence bus lanes, Baldwin Park Greenway opening, ESFV rail, Santa Monica first/last mile connections, and more

February 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

ICE, L.A. council candidates, East Hollywood TOD, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Westwood, car-nage, and more

February 10, 2026

Councilmember Yaroslavsky Calls for Urgent City Response to Westwood Driver Killing Three People

Councilmember Park also responds to killing of Playa del Rey cyclist, calls to "to re-assess the area for... improvements."

February 9, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

Raman enters race for mayor, ICE, Olympics, Monterey Park, Burbank, San Marino, Torrance, car-nage, and more

February 9, 2026

Santa Monica/West L.A. Leaders Urge Caltrans to Build “Ohio to Ohio” Bike Link With Santa Monica Boulevard Rehab

While Westside officials are pushing Caltrans to add some needed bike infrastructure, their logic contradicts the City of L.A.'s efforts to dodge implementing Measure HLA.

February 6, 2026
See all posts