Costa Mesa likely to formalize 405 widening opposition

The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday will consider making official its opposition to a proposed widening of the San Diego (405) Freeway.

Officials plan to approve a resolution on the project, which would widen the freeway in certain section of the city, and are looking for community input.

It hasn’t been a secret that the council, and — for the most part — Costa Mesa residents, has been opposed to the third of three options the Orange County Transportation Authority has presented for alleviating traffic on one of Southern California’s busiest freeways.

The third option is the most expensive, possibly generates the most money back for OCTA, and also affects Costa Mesans the most.

While all of OCTA’s proposals widen the 405 south of the San Gabriel (605) Freeway, only the third option includes work south of Fountain Valley’s Euclid Street exit.

It would add an additional high occupancy vehicle lane and, along with the current carpool lane, make them both toll roads. There are no toll roads in the first two options.

Residents can offer their opinions on what the council should oppose and support at the council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive.

—Joseph Serna

Twitter: @JosephSerna