The OCTA awards $28.7M to improve O.C. streets

ORANGE – Cities throughout Orange County will receive more than $28 million in Measure M transportation funds to help ease traffic by making improvements to streets and timing of traffic lights.

The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week awarded funding for nine projects that will improve and widen busy streets and intersections, totaling $20.2 million.

Three additional projects will receive funding to synchronize traffic signals to ensure drivers hit the most green lights during peak traffic hours. That funding totals $8.5 million. The funds are available through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as OC Go.

“I’m proud that OCTA, even in the challenging times of a pandemic, is continuing to enhance Orange County’s transportation network and providing the funding necessary to keep Orange County moving,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Providing the funds for these many projects is another great example of how OCTA partners with cities to put local sales tax dollars to good use, and to keep our promises to voters.”

Since Measure M was renewed by voters in 2006, more than $456 million in competitive funding has been awarded to make Orange County streets and roads better. That amount includes external funding leveraged by OC Go funds. And that’s in addition to another $494 million in formula funding.

The most recent call for projects was issued by OCTA in August 2020 through the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program, making funding available on a competitive basis for projects that will improve congested streets and synchronize traffic signals.

Project applications were reviewed for eligibility, consistency and adherence to Measure M guidelines.
Those receiving funds for projects include: Santa Ana (three projects), Yorba Linda (two projects), Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, and the County of Orange.

Cities receiving funds for traffic signal synchronization include: Irvine, Lake Forest and Santa Ana.
Regional capacity projects include:

• Extending Los Patrones Parkway in the County of Orange.
• Improving Fairview Street between 9th Street and 16th Street in Santa Ana
• Improving Warner Avenue between Oak Street and Grand Avenue in Santa Ana
• Improving Bristol Street at Memory Lane in Santa Ana
• Widening Cannon Street from Santiago Canyon Road to Serrano Avenue in Orange
• Improving the Euclid Street and Westminster Avenue Intersection in Garden Grove
• Improving the intersection of Jeffrey Road at Barranca Parkway in Irvine
• Widening Yorba Linda Boulevard between Imperial Highway and Lakeview Avenue in Yorba Linda
• Widening Lakeview Avenue between Bastanchury Road to Oriente Drive in Yorba Linda

Signal synchronization projects include:

• Portola Parkway/Santa Margarita Parkway in Lake Forest
• Alton Parkway in Irvine
• First Street/Bolsa Avenue in Santa Ana.

About OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation.