Orange County transportation officials are looking at possible improvements to the dreaded traffic and congestion on the 91 Freeway.

The study, now underway by the Orange County Transportation Authority, is looking for ways to decrease the number of vehicles on the freeway’s 23-mile stretch between Los Angeles and Riverside counties, as well as a mile north and south of the road, said Eric Carpenter, an agency spokesman.

“Since the SR-91 freeway traverses through several counties, traffic congestion is an issue during morning and afternoon rush hours,” Carpenter said. “This study will look at a variety of projects aimed at relieving congestion.”

He called the 91 an “essential travel corridor” that is critical for residents to get to work, school and other recreational activities or entertainment. It sees up to 325,000 vehicles a day.

Carpenter said possible projects could be either on or adjacent to the freeway, which would ideally encourage transportation alternatives in the area through better bus, rail or bike infrastructure – in turn also improving efficiency on the roads surrounding the 91 and air quality.

While producing the study – officially the “SR-91 Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan” – will help the county qualify for certain state funds reserved for transportation projects, officials are also seeking public input through an online survey at octa.net/91plan.

“OCTA wants to get a sense of the public’s views on the transportation challenges on or near the 91 corridor and opinions about what kind of projects they think would be helpful,” Carpenter said.

The project is still in its study and public engagement phase, but Carpenter said the agency hopes to finalized specific improvements this summer. He said officials are looking at all possible transportation modes, which could include improving park-and-ride facilities, Metrolink stations or extending bike trails.

Depending on the project, construction could involve closures or detours of and around the 91, Carpenter said, but OCTA would work with residents and the public to give plenty of notice.

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