A New Connection is Coming to Irvine

Getting around the Great Park is about to get significantly easier! With so many new amenities coming to the Great Park, the City has launched a major infrastructure project to improve access and traffic circulation into and around the park. The Marine Way Extension and Undercrossing has been designed to better connect our community and make commutes smoother for everyone.

Right now, there is a frustrating gap where Marine Way ends at Barranca, leaving residents without a direct way to cross the rails or enter the Great Park from the south. That is all changing.

 

By creating a new rail undercrossing, the City is building a direct link between the Great Park and the Irvine Spectrum area, meaning you’ll no longer have to detour all the way to Sand Canyon Avenue or Alton Parkway. The underpass will improve access to and from the Great Park, dramatically reducing entry and exit times during special events.

These new connections are designed to make getting around Irvine safer and more convenient while delivering benefits that extend beyond the daily commute.

“This extension does more than just connect two roads; it gives time back to our residents,” Mayor Larry Agran recently said. “By shortening travel distances, we can reduce congestion on our neighborhood streets and save on fuel. Beyond the drive, this project is a win for our environment and our health, featuring new connections that make walking and biking safer and more convenient, which helps lower greenhouse gas emissions across the City.”

Major construction will continue through 2026, with the full project expected to be completed in time for the Great Park’s 2027 summer events. Once finished, the Marine Way Extension and Undercrossing will provide a new connection between the Great Park, the Irvine Spectrum area, and the surrounding community — making it easier to get where you want to go.