Empire Interchange / Interstate 5 Improvement Project
The Empire Interchange / Interstate 5 Improvement Project is a series of enhancements to the Interstate 5 Freeway,
including a new interchange at Empire Avenue. This project, lead by Caltrans and funded by state transportation funds, will improve
levels of service along Interstate 5 while providing an important new access to the Empire Center and Burbank Airport.
Highlights
- Full freeway interchange at Empire Avenue
- New freeway and railroad crossing allowing access to Empire Center
- Freeway widening including 2 HOV lanes
- Burbank Blvd. Bridge widening
- Grade separation of railroad crossing at Buena Vista Street
The Empire Interchange is currently still in the design phase, with design completion expected by late 2006. As the state's
continued budget shortfalls have affected transportation projects throughout the state, completion of the project has been delayed.
City staff currently estimates that the project could be completed by 2009.
Benefits
The highlight of the project is the construction of a new interchange with Empire Avenue in the
vicinity of the current Scott Road offramp. This new interchange will provide full access to the freeway
from both San Fernando Blvd. and Empire Avenue and allow traffic destined to the new Empire Center a direct
freeway connection.
Interchange Diagram
This project also includes widening of the Burbank Blvd overpass near the former "5-Points" intersection,
and removes a railroad crossing at Buena Vista Street. Metrolink tracks will pass over both Buena Vista as well as
the new Empire Avenue connection.
The Empire Interchange project is part of a larger effort to add HOV lanes along Interstate 5 through the City of Burbank.
The freeway will be widened, and extra auxillary lanes added to accommodate the new freeway ramps.
The map below shows the various components of the Empire Avenue Interchange and related projects.
Highlights
- Full freeway interchange at Empire Avenue
- New freeway and railroad crossing allowing access to Empire Center
- Freeway widening including 2 HOV lanes
- Burbank Blvd. Bridge widening
- Grade separation of railroad crossing at Buena Vista Street
The Empire Interchange is currently still in the design phase, with design completion expected by late 2006. As the state's
continued budget shortfalls have affected transportation projects throughout the state, completion of the project has been delayed.
City staff currently estimates that the project could be completed by 2009.
Benefits
The highlight of the project is the construction of a new interchange with Empire Avenue in the
vicinity of the current Scott Road offramp. This new interchange will provide full access to the freeway
from both San Fernando Blvd. and Empire Avenue and allow traffic destined to the new Empire Center a direct
freeway connection.
Interchange Diagram
This project also includes widening of the Burbank Blvd overpass near the former "5-Points" intersection,
and removes a railroad crossing at Buena Vista Street. Metrolink tracks will pass over both Buena Vista as well as
the new Empire Avenue connection.
The Empire Interchange project is part of a larger effort to add HOV lanes along Interstate 5 through the City of Burbank.
The freeway will be widened, and extra auxillary lanes added to accommodate the new freeway ramps.
The map below shows the various components of the Empire Avenue Interchange and related projects.
Interchange Diagram
This project also includes widening of the Burbank Blvd overpass near the former "5-Points" intersection, and removes a railroad crossing at Buena Vista Street. Metrolink tracks will pass over both Buena Vista as well as the new Empire Avenue connection.
The Empire Interchange project is part of a larger effort to add HOV lanes along Interstate 5 through the City of Burbank. The freeway will be widened, and extra auxillary lanes added to accommodate the new freeway ramps.
The map below shows the various components of the Empire Avenue Interchange and related projects.