Orange County SR 55 Improvement Moves Forward
Workers oversee one of many expected concrete pours.
Roadbed construction is under way on the northbound Dyer Road off-ramp, assisted with heavy equipment that includes a Cat 328D excavator.
Keri White CEG CORRESPONDENT
The Costa Mesa Freeway (State Route 55) is undergoing a significant upgrade to improve traffic flow and reduce travel time in the 4 mi. stretch between Interstate 405 and Interstate 5.
The roadway has four regular lanes and one carpool lane in each direction as well as merge lanes between some interchanges. The upgrade being led by contractor Security Paving Co. Inc. of Westlake Village, Calif., integrates an additional regular lane and an additional carpool lane in each direction. The project also will add merge lanes on northbound SR 55 between the interchanges at MacArthur Boulevard, Dyer Road and Edinger Avenue to facilitate merging and improve roadway safety.
The improvements are intended to help increase access to
job centers, health care facilities, educational institutions and John Wayne Airport, as well as other important destinations in and around the region. The cities along this high-traffic corridor include Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin, and the project timeline began in August of 2022 and runs through 2027.
The freeway is one of the most heavily traveled roads in Southern California; it serves as a critical connector to other major arteries and is the only north-south freeway linking Central Orange County to the coast.
About 260,000 vehicles travel the road daily, and that number is expected to reach 275,000 by 2040. The commercial trucking industry also will benefit from the project; the road accommodates 17,000 daily trucking trips. The added lanes will reduce travel time, saving up to 1,500 hours per day. This will improve air quality; fewer trucking hours on the road will reduce exhaust and pollution output. see SR55 page 6
Two New Honda Generators Now On Sale in California
Honda Power Sports & Products announced that its gaspowered Honda EU3200i and Honda EU7000iS Super Quiet Series generators, meeting both U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase III emissions standards and California Air Resources Board (CARB) Tier IV compliance requirements, now are on sale in California.
Honda Super Quiet series generators are inverter technology-equipped, lightweight models that feature a totally enclosed body and significant acoustic engineering, resulting in noticeably quieter performance for a range of recreational, commercial and home backup power applications.
Honda Super Quiet series models also feature the Eco Throttle System, which maximizes efficiency by adjusting output to load requirements.
To meet compliance standards, Honda has incorporated a number of design enhancements into the EU3200i and EU7000iS Super Quiet generators, including an evaporative emission control (EVAP) system, fuel cap tether and improved canister working capacity — working together to optimize fuel combustion and further lower air emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and sulfur.
Both models now are available for sale in the state of California.
Honda EU Super Quiet Generators Snapshots
The Honda EU3200i Super Quiet series generator delivers high power and portable convenience in a compact package ideally suited to maximize RV and outdoor recreational experiences, DIY projects and home backup power needs. Honda has packed 3,200 watts of power into the all-new generator, a model that can start and run most modern RV rooftop 13,500 BTU air conditioners, plus lights and other RV appliances, according to Honda.
The EU3200i also offers a range of conveniences such as quick and easy two-step starting, exceptional fuel efficiency and long run times. The EU3200i has the smallest footprint
Honda photo
Honda Power Sports & Products announced that its gas-powered Honda EU3200i and Honda EU7000iS Super Quiet Series generators are now are on sale in California.
of any model in the Honda 3000-watt generator class. Integrated upper and lower handles and a weight of 59.7 lbs. make the generator easy to lift, move and store.
The Honda EU7000iS Super Quiet series portable generator is ideal for both commercial and residential applications as well as outdoor events. This model features a totally enclosed body and significant acoustic engineering, resulting in noticeably quieter performance. At a total dry weight of 271.2 lbs., the compact and fuel-efficient Honda EU7000iS produces 7,000 watts of rated power at a quiet 58 dB(A), according to Honda.
The Honda EU7000iS incorporates the company's first application of electronic fuel injection into a generator design, extremely easy starting via a convenient one-touch, push-button, electric-start switch and longer operating times.
Electronic fuel injection also allows for longer-term fuel storage without having to drain a carburetor or perform other related maintenance.
Both Honda EU3200i and EU7000iS models include the following safety and convenience features:
● the Honda CO-MINDER, a carbon monoxide (CO) detection system designed to help protect users from injury or death from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The CO-MINDER system continuously measures carbon monoxide levels in the air near the generator and automatically shuts down the unit before detected CO reaches a dangerous level, according to Honda. Honda designed the COMINDER system to be fast-acting while also reducing nuisance shutdowns from false positives.
● the Honda My Generator Bluetooth App allows a user to start (electric start models only), stop and monitor critical operations of a portable Honda generator remotely from a compatible Apple device or Android smartphone through a Bluetooth interface. The app operates within a 75-ft. line of sight, monitoring a range of information, such as output power, engine operating hours, oil life, fuel level, estimated run times based on power usage and routine maintenance reminders, according to Honda.
“Honda aims to continually minimize the environmental impact of all power products we produce. This mission is clearly illustrated through the integration of design enhancements to our popular EU3200i and EU7000iS Super Quiet Series generators — achieving EPA Phase III and CARB Tier IV emissions standards,” said Mark Kohls, vice president of Honda Power Sports & Products, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. “The Honda goal is to be the leading brand of lifestyle products that are environmentally responsible, reliable, convenient and quiet. This aligns with our Triple Action to Zero initiative which targets carbon neutrality, use of clean energy and resource circulation (use of sustainable materials) by 2050.”
Construction Begins On Mendocino County Courthouse in Ukiah
Work began in late April on a new $144 million Mendocino County Courthouse in Ukiah, Calif., according to mendofever.com.
The building, which is the largest civic project in county history, will be built alongside railroad tracks that cross Perkins Street
— the main corridor linking Ukiah’s commercial core to U.S. 101.
Hensel Phelps Construction is managing the construction, according to mendovoice.com.
More than 125 community members attended the April 30, 2025, groundbreaking for the three-story, seven-courtroom, 82,000-sq.-ft. courthouse, which will replace a circa 1951 predecessor. Completion is expected in 2027.
“The courthouse has been an important fixture in Ukiah’s downtown for more than a century and a half,” said Sage Sangiacomo, Ukiah city manager, according to mendovoice.com. “While our community has outgrown the current building in many ways, its critical role as an anchor remains. This investment by the state in a new facility, and their commitment to keeping it downtown, will benefit Ukiah tremendously — for another 150 years or more, we hope.”
John Petty, operations director of Hensel Philips Construction, said the courthouse will have a modern design and be eco-
friendly. Solar panel arrays will cover the parking lot to help power the new facility.
The landscaping will include native, drought-tolerant plants. And the courthouse will apply for LEED certification.
The project has been 20 years in the making, according to mendofever.com, a process that included funding crises, numerous delays and public debates about location. The new location is three blocks from the existing courthouse downtown.
An unresolved issue is the lack of space for both the county district attorney and public defender. The DA’s office is now on the bottom floor of the existing courthouse, while the public defender’s office is on School Street a block from the existing courthouse
The fate of the current courthouse also is up in the air. Mendocino County owns the building and land, but it would cost approximately $9 million in costs to bring the structure into compliance with seismic safety and accessibility standards, according to mendofever.com.
Superior Court of California rendering
A rendering of the Mendocino County Courthouse now under construction in Ukiah, Calif.
Next Issue Closes July 1st
Security Paving Tackles Costa Mesa Freeway Project
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is leading the SR 55 Improvement Project in collaboration with the California Transportation Commission (Caltrans). The estimated budget for the project totals $505.7 million.
It is funded by OC Go, also known as Measure M, which is Orange County’s halfcent sales tax for transportation improvements. Additional funding for the SR 55 Improvement Project was secured from federal and state sources. Caltrans awarded OCTA $140 million in competitive state transportation funding in support of the SR55 Improvement Project. The full breakdown of funding is as follows: OC Go contributed $82.8 million; state funds covered $262.9 million; and federal funds added $160.9 million.
OCTA Chairman Mark A. Murphy, also the mayor of Orange, noted the impact of the SR 55 improvements.
“This is an important project that will help ensure people can continue traveling safely and efficiently throughout the region,” he said. “The SR 55 project will not only benefit those who live or work along this 4-mile stretch of freeway but also anyone who travels between central Orange
County and the coast.”
To accommodate the freeway expansion, the project requires the relocation of some local streets and/or narrowing the width of some surface streets. The structural components of the project include the reconstruction of four freeway bridges — those over
Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber, Calif. AGC Partner
The Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) and the AGC Construction Education Foundation (AGC CEF) announced a new partnership with the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and its Regional Small Business Utilization Center (RSBUC).
This collaboration is designed to strengthen and expand support for small, underrepresented, and diverse construction businesses across the Greater Sacramento region, including Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties.
Through this joint initiative, AGC CEF and RSBUC will provide small construction businesses with comprehensive resources tailored to the unique demands of the industry. These include targeted education and training, mentorship and technical assistance, access to matchmaking opportunities with AGC general contractors, and ongoing business development support.
By focusing on practical, high-impact programming, the partnership aims to increase procurement readiness and help diverse contractors compete for — and secure — major construction contracts.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating more inclusive and equitable economic opportunities within the construction industry,” said Erin Volk, executive director of AGC CEF and senior vice president, workforce and community development at AGC of California.
This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, which includes a $100,000 subgrant from RSBUC to AGC CEF in recognition of the foundation’s subject matter expertise and capacity to deliver construction-specific training and support.
Founded in 2001, the AGC CEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit benefit corporation created by construction industry leaders to address California’s workforce needs and systemic barriers to entry for underserved communities.
The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SacAsian Chamber) is dedicated to advancing the business, economic, and policy interests of the region’s diverse communities.
For details, visit agc-ca.org.
The process required significant demolition followed by pile driving, a common method of bridge foundation construction, which involves steel beams being driven into the ground until they reach a hard layer of earth for optimal stability. Additionally, one sound wall near the SR 55/I-5 interchange will be built, along with retaining walls throughout the corridor.
Drainage was another consideration.
To avoid water accumulation on the newly paved surface, which can result in unsafe driving conditions, erosion, structural damage and costly roadway maintenance, a drainage system with a 3,139-ft.long lane channel was constructed. Utilities including gas, sewer, and communication
lines had to be relocated, and water lines were installed 20 ft. below ground across the entire freeway.
The project also involves the reconfiguration of on- and off-ramps. Operationally, the SR 55 project requires resurfacing and paving, restriping of regular car lanes, restriping of carpool lanes for continuous access to facilitate entry and exit, and restriping of merge lanes. In terms of signage and visibility, crews removed old signage and light poles to make way for new overhead signage and lighting to optimize safety and ensure that motorists understand the new traffic patterns. In addition, barrier work was part of the project.
OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson explained the plan and its impact on the region.
“The SR 55 project is one component in OCTA’s overall goal of creating a balanced and sustainable transportation future for Orange County,” he said. “I appreciate the community’s patience during construction as we work toward providing relief for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who travel through this area each day.”
“The additional HOV lanes will encourage more people to carpool and rideshare, which may be able to reduce vehicle miles traveled and travel times for commuters,” Caltrans CEO Ryan Chamberland said. “The SR 55 Improvement Project also represents the investments we've made through SB 1 to fix our roads, freeways, and bridges.”
SB 1 is the California Road Repair and Accountability Act. It was passed in 2017 and provides an estimated $5.4 billion annually to repair and improve roads, bridges and freeways across the state. CEG
(All photos courtesy of Caltrans.)
MacArthur Boulevard, Dyer Road, Edinger Avenue, and a railroad crossing.
A Cat AP655D paver works through the night on State Route 55 in Costa Mesa. Work crews guide a steel support column near
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State Highways Strengthened... California Invests Nearly $1.7B to Improve Safety, Mobility
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on May 16, 2025, allocated nearly $1.7 billion to help improve safety, increase mobility for all users and strengthen the state highway system.
Guided by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer and more climate resilient.
In addition to these proactive, long-range efforts, the CTC allocated $86.5 million to repair vital roadways and other transportation infrastructure damaged during recent wildfires and storms in Southern California.
“Investments made today support Caltrans’ mission to build and maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and decades into the future,” said Mike Keever, acting director of Caltrans. “This funding translates into safer travel, more accessible mobility options and strengthening our roadways to protect all travelers during extreme weather events.”
Projects include:
• $195.5 million to rehabilitate roadway and drainage systems, add a bike trail and pedestrian bridge, as well as upgrade safety
along Interstate 805 in the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista and National City.
• $129 million to replace the existing Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility along westbound Interstate 80 near Fairfield.
• $55.1 million in response to the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles County and the strong Pacific storms that followed, battering charred hillsides and unleashing massive debris flows. Those include $30.6 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Drive in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above Pacific Coast Highway/State Route 1 (PCH/SR-1) near Mulholland Drive, all of which were impacted by the Palisades Fire and rainstorms.
• $30 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Road in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above State Route 1 near Mulholland Drive, all of which were impacted by the Palisades Fire and rainstorms.
• $30 million in San Bernardino County in the city of Hesperia and Victorville, 0.16 mi. north of the Interstate 15 junction to State Route 18. This project will widen U.S.
395 to four lanes, add 14 ft. paved median, 8 ft. shoulders, and add operational enhancements.
• $27.8 million in Riverside County in the city of Riverside on State Route 91 East of Tyler to Madison Street. This project consists of pavement rehabilitation, upgrading sign panels and guardrails.
• $26.5 million near Alpine, from 0.3 mi. east of Harbison Canyon Road to 0.7 mi. east of Willows Road, to replace failed pavement on Interstate 8.
• More than $26 million in funding for the construction of a new materials laboratory at the Caltrans District 9 office in Bishop.
• $23 million in the cities of San Leandro, Oakland and Alameda, from State Route 112 (Davis Street) to Encinal Avenue, for rehabilitating pavement, upgrading guardrails and drainage systems, and upgrading facilities to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
• $20.7 million to replace the Calaveras Creek Bridge just east for North Fork on State Route 12.
Of the total allocation this month, nearly $651 million came via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of
2017 and approximately $536 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).
IIJA, also known as the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems.
California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding since its passage. This includes investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 170,000 jobs in California.
Meanwhile, SB 1 invests approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
For more information, visit Build.ca. gov.
