OCTA board will consider allocating near $45 million for projects throughout the county
April 19, 2012
ORANGE – Orange County streets could see an influx of nearly $45 million after the Orange County Transportation Authority board considers funding dozens of improvement projects through voter-approved Measure M2.
The following is up for consideration when the board meets at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 23 at OCTA Headquarters, 550 S. Main Street in Orange:
More than $35 million for streets and roads, resulting in an average road capacity improvement of 28 percent and the creation of nearly 1,200 new jobs.
Approximately $9.7 million for the synchronization of more than 500 signals along approximately 140 miles of roadway.
Unanimously approved by OCTA’s Regional Planning and Highways Committee on April 16, the funds would go toward street improvements in Huntington Beach, Westminster, Newport Beach, Tustin, Santa Ana and for La Pata Avenue in unincorporated Orange County.
Signal synchronization projects being considered are in Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, San Clemente, La Habra, Fullerton, Mission Viejo and Newport Beach.
Combined with the local agency matching funds, the total investment would result in more than $145 million in improvements.
Through Measure M2, the competitive Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program will facilitate 31 projects throughout the county. Applications were reviewed for eligibility, consistency and adherence to guidelines and program objectives. There were 64 applications received from 23 different agencies.
Measure M2 is Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and was approved by 70 percent of voters in 2006. The program officially went into effect April 1 and is expected to bring in approximately $15 billion during the next 30 years.
Click here for a complete list of the projects under consideration.
