SANTA ANA, CA — Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) will join Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) CEO Darrell Johnson and local elected officials to announce $750,000 in federal funding to support the completion of the Santa Ana-Garden Grove Rails-to-Trails Gap Closure Project—which would connect bikers between two of the most park-poor cities in Orange County.

OCTA’s Santa Ana-Garden Grove Rails-to-Trails Gap Closure Project would explore a connection with the existing bicycle and pedestrian path between Nelson and Brookhurst street in Garden Grove southeast across the former Pacific Electric right-of-way to connect with the existing Santa Ana River Trail—which runs from the Pacific Coast Highway into Orange and beyond. The trail would run for approximately four miles, allowing a bicyclist to pedal—or a walker to stride—from Santa Ana’s downtown to cross the river and continue into a separated bikeway into downtown Garden Grove.

According to OCTA, this project would provide a critical connection from the two cities’ downtowns to the Santa Ana River trail—which is part of the 66-mile “OC Loop” that connects various destinations throughout Orange County. The result will be reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and public health in communities with higher-than-average rates of asthma and cardiovascular disease.

This funding is part of the nearly $30 million that Rep. Correa secured for community projects throughout California’s 46th congressional district in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Rep. Correa worked in lockstep with community leaders to identify priorities for CA-46 constituents, and fought for them during the annual funding process.