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Milestones

Progress from 2011 to Date
Updated quarterly

What is OC Go?

One half-cent of every sales tax dollar improves Orange County freeways, the transit system, and streets and roads as part of OC Go (also known as Measure M). After voters approved OC Go by nearly 70 percent in 2006, sales tax collection began in 2011 to achieve the goals below.

OC Go Goals

Relieve Congestion
Improve Street Conditions
Expand Metrolink
Reduce costs for senior and people with disabilities
Synchronize signals
Reduce transportation related air and water pollution
13
Freeway Projects
Orange County Freeways

Completed out of a total of 30 which has added approximately 49.6 freeway lane-miles to relieve congestion in Orange County.

The OC Go freeway program includes 30 project segments that will remedy traffic chokepoints and relieve congestion on Orange County freeways. Through a five-year Early Action Plan covering the years 2007 to 2012, several key OC Go freeway segments were advanced and implemented prior to the collection of sales tax revenues. Design, environmental, and construction are stages necessary for freeway completion. Thirteen freeway segments have been completed, five are in construction, eight are in or nearing design, and the remaining four are planned to be environmentally cleared by 2030.

See more about OC Go Projects and Programs Schedule, as of June 2022.

679,068
Freeway Services
Orange County Motor Assets

Provided to assist motorists and remove congestion-causing debris along the Orange County freeway system.

The Freeway Service Patrol is a contracted tow-truck service that helps motorists whose vehicles have become disabled along Orange County freeways and removes congestion-causing debris from traffic lanes. For the period April 2022 to June 2022, it provided a total of 17,254 assists on the Orange County freeway system.

See more about Freeway Service Patrol.

The OC Go freeway program includes 30 project segments that will remedy traffic chokepoints and relieve congestion on Orange County freeways. Through a five-year Early Action Plan covering the years 2007 to 2012, several key OC Go freeway segments were advanced and implemented prior to the collection of sales tax revenues. Design, environmental, and construction are stages necessary for freeway completion. Thirteen freeway segments have been completed, five are in construction, eight are in or nearing design, and the remaining four are planned to be environmentally cleared by 2030.

See more about OC Go Projects and Programs Schedule, as of June 2022.

The Freeway Service Patrol is a contracted tow-truck service that helps motorists whose vehicles have become disabled along Orange County freeways and removes congestion-causing debris from traffic lanes. For the period April 2022 to June 2022, it provided a total of 17,254 assists on the Orange County freeway system.

See more about Freeway Service Patrol.

$901.2 M
Invested in Streets

For transportation improvements through the streets and roads competitive and formula funding programs.

Every trip begins with a local street or road and keeping them in good shape is an important component of OC Go. As of June 2022, approximately $584.3 million in Local Fair Share funds have been distributed to cities and the County to preserve existing streets and roads and provide other transportation improvements based on the priorities and infrastructure needs of local agencies. Additionally, OCTA has allocated approximately $316.9 million in M2 and leveraged external funding for 160 projects through 12 competitive calls for projects to provide further improvements on Orange County's Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

See more about Street and Road Improvements.

3,338
Signals
Orange County Signals

Synchronized to improve traffic flow along 858 miles of Orange County roads.

Driving through multiple cities stopping at red lights can be difficult and time consuming, in part because each city controls its own traffic signals. OC Go helps synchronize traffic lights across the county to improve the quality of your drive.

OCTA has awarded $132 million for 109 projects through 12 competitive calls for projects for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. Overall, OCTA has funded 128 projects totaling approximately $157.1 million*, including $25.5 million in leveraged external funding.

Travel time savings: 12%, Speed improvements: 14%, Stop reduction: 28%

See more about Signal Synchronization.

*To date, three projects totaling approximately $1.6 million have been cancelled by the awarded local jurisdictions.

Every trip begins with a local street or road and keeping them in good shape is an important component of OC Go. As of June 2022, approximately $584.3 million in Local Fair Share funds have been distributed to cities and the County to preserve existing streets and roads and provide other transportation improvements based on the priorities and infrastructure needs of local agencies. Additionally, OCTA has allocated approximately $316.9 million in M2 and leveraged external funding for 160 projects through 12 competitive calls for projects to provide further improvements on Orange County's Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

See more about Street and Road Improvements.

Driving through multiple cities stopping at red lights can be difficult and time consuming, in part because each city controls its own traffic signals. OC Go helps synchronize traffic lights across the county to improve the quality of your drive.

OCTA has awarded $132 million for 109 projects through 12 competitive calls for projects for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. Overall, OCTA has funded 128 projects totaling approximately $157.1 million*, including $25.5 million in leveraged external funding.

Travel time savings: 12%, Speed improvements: 14%, Stop reduction: 28%

See more about Signal Synchronization.

*To date, three projects totaling approximately $1.6 million have been cancelled by the awarded local jurisdictions.

7
Bridges and Underpasses
Orange County Bridges and Underpasses

Built to safely separate cars from freight trains and relieve congestion in the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Placentia.

OCTA built a total of seven bridges and underpasses to separate car and pedestrian traffic from the busy Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) freight rail line running through the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Placentia.

By 2030, the number of daily freight trains is expected to nearly double from 70 to 130. The OC Bridges Program helps preserve quality of life by keeping motorists moving while allowing trains to transport goods.

OC Go contributed more than a fifth of the funds ($152.6 million) to the nearly $667 million cost of the OC Bridges Program and leveraged the remainder by attracting local, state, and federal contributions.

Projects include: Kraemer Boulevard, Lakeview Avenue, Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia Avenue, Raymond Avenue, State College Boulevard and Tustin Avenue/Rose Drive.

See more about OC Bridges.

6
Metrolink Station Improvements

Completed to expand Metrolink services, enhance the traveler experience and improve safe and reliable rail service in Orange County. OCTA also subsidizes Metrolink commuter rail service on three lines with 45 weekday/16 weekend trains.

Each day, commuters and other travelers use convenient Metrolink trains to get to work or other destinations within Orange County or adjoining counties including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Orange County has 12 Metrolink stations and is served by three lines — Orange County Line (OC Line), Inland Empire Orange County Line (IEOC Line) and 91/Perris Valley Line.

In March 2020, all Metrolink services were impacted by the statewide enforcement of stay-at-home orders that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Metrolink implemented temporary service reductions in March and November 2020 due to the decline in ridership. On April 4, 2022, Metrolink partially restored some services in response to customer feedback and demand for more train trips to accommodate ridership recovery efforts. The three lines serving Orange County (Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County, and the 91/Perris Valley lines) now operate 45 weekday trains, a 17 percent reduction from 54 weekday trains. As ridership continues to recover, Metrolink and OCTA will continue to reassess the service needs in Orange County and reinstate various trains as appropriate.

In addition, OCTA enhanced 50 Orange County at-grade rail-highway crossings to provide safety enhancements for pedestrians and motorists. Completion of the safety improvements provided each corridor city with the opportunity to establish a "quiet zone" at their respective crossings. Quiet zones are intended to prohibit the sounding of train horns through designated crossings, except in the case of emergencies, construction work, or safety concerns identified by the train engineer.

As of June 2022:

    • Six projects are complete
      • Fullerton Transportation Center Parking Structure and Elevator Improvements
      • Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station ADA Ramps
      • Orange Transportation Center Metrolink Parking Structure
      • San Clemente Pier Station Lighting
      • San Juan Capistrano/Laguna Niguel Passing Siding
      • Tustin Metrolink Station Parking Structure

  • Two projects are in or nearing construction
    • Anaheim Canyon Metrolink Station Improvements
    • Placentia Metrolink Station Improvements and Parking Structure

See more about Rail Projects.

OCTA built a total of seven bridges and underpasses to separate car and pedestrian traffic from the busy Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) freight rail line running through the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Placentia.

By 2030, the number of daily freight trains is expected to nearly double from 70 to 130. The OC Bridges Program helps preserve quality of life by keeping motorists moving while allowing trains to transport goods.

OC Go contributed more than a fifth of the funds ($152.6 million) to the nearly $667 million cost of the OC Bridges Program and leveraged the remainder by attracting local, state, and federal contributions.

Projects include: Kraemer Boulevard, Lakeview Avenue, Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia Avenue, Raymond Avenue, State College Boulevard and Tustin Avenue/Rose Drive.

See more about OC Bridges.

Each day, commuters and other travelers use convenient Metrolink trains to get to work or other destinations within Orange County or adjoining counties including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Orange County has 12 Metrolink stations and is served by three lines — Orange County Line (OC Line), Inland Empire Orange County Line (IEOC Line) and 91/Perris Valley Line.

In March 2020, all Metrolink services were impacted by the statewide enforcement of stay-at-home orders that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Metrolink implemented temporary service reductions in March and November 2020 due to the decline in ridership. On April 4, 2022, Metrolink partially restored some services in response to customer feedback and demand for more train trips to accommodate ridership recovery efforts. The three lines serving Orange County (Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County, and the 91/Perris Valley lines) now operate 45 weekday trains, a 17 percent reduction from 54 weekday trains. As ridership continues to recover, Metrolink and OCTA will continue to reassess the service needs in Orange County and reinstate various trains as appropriate.

In addition, OCTA enhanced 50 Orange County at-grade rail-highway crossings to provide safety enhancements for pedestrians and motorists. Completion of the safety improvements provided each corridor city with the opportunity to establish a "quiet zone" at their respective crossings. Quiet zones are intended to prohibit the sounding of train horns through designated crossings, except in the case of emergencies, construction work, or safety concerns identified by the train engineer.

As of June 2022:

    • Six projects are complete
      • Fullerton Transportation Center Parking Structure and Elevator Improvements
      • Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station ADA Ramps
      • Orange Transportation Center Metrolink Parking Structure
      • San Clemente Pier Station Lighting
      • San Juan Capistrano/Laguna Niguel Passing Siding
      • Tustin Metrolink Station Parking Structure

  • Two projects are in or nearing construction
    • Anaheim Canyon Metrolink Station Improvements
    • Placentia Metrolink Station Improvements and Parking Structure

See more about Rail Projects.

4.15
Miles
Orange County Streetcar

The OC Streetcar will travel as it connects leisure, employment, and transit to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center. Construction is underway with service anticipated to begin in 2024.

The OC Streetcar will be the first modern streetcar project to be built in Orange County and will serve the City of Santa Ana's historic and thriving downtown area. Eight streetcars will connect with 14 OCTA bus routes between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center in Santa Ana, and a new transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in the City of Garden Grove. More than half of the funding for the OC Streetcar is planned to come from the federal government with some state and local funding.

See more about the OC Streetcar.

132 M
Boardings

Have been provided to seniors and persons with disabilities for reduced fares and specialized ACCESS services. To date, more than $42.4 million has been allocated to fund the Fare Stabilization Program.

Three programs work together to provide efficient, cost-effective transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities.

In addition to stabilizing fares, the Senior Mobility Program (SMP) is designed by participating cities to offer transit options that best meet the needs of the seniors in their communities in addition to local fixed-route buses and ACCESS service. OCTA and the participating cities contribute to SMP. The Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (SNEMT) Program supplements existing countywide senior non-emergency medical transportation services.

As of June 2022, OC Go has provided:

Nearly $30.3 million to 32 participating cities to support nearly 2.6 million boardings for seniors traveling to medical appointments, nutrition programs, shopping destinations, and senior and community center activities as part of the SMP.

Approximately $32.6 million to support nearly 1.4 million boardings as part of the SNEMT Program.

See more about Transit Programs.

The OC Streetcar will be the first modern streetcar project to be built in Orange County and will serve the City of Santa Ana's historic and thriving downtown area. Eight streetcars will connect with 14 OCTA bus routes between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center in Santa Ana, and a new transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in the City of Garden Grove. More than half of the funding for the OC Streetcar is planned to come from the federal government with some state and local funding.

See more about the OC Streetcar.

Three programs work together to provide efficient, cost-effective transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities.

In addition to stabilizing fares, the Senior Mobility Program (SMP) is designed by participating cities to offer transit options that best meet the needs of the seniors in their communities in addition to local fixed-route buses and ACCESS service. OCTA and the participating cities contribute to SMP. The Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (SNEMT) Program supplements existing countywide senior non-emergency medical transportation services.

As of June 2022, OC Go has provided:

Nearly $30.3 million to 32 participating cities to support nearly 2.6 million boardings for seniors traveling to medical appointments, nutrition programs, shopping destinations, and senior and community center activities as part of the SMP.

Approximately $32.6 million to support nearly 1.4 million boardings as part of the SNEMT Program.

See more about Transit Programs.

$40 M
Allocated for Local Transit

Services to complement regional bus and rail services.

The Community-Based Transit/Circulators program provides competitive funding for local jurisdictions to develop local bus transit services, such as community-based circulators and shuttles, that complement regional bus and rail services to meet needs in areas not adequately served by regional transit. To date, over $40 million has been allocated through four calls for projects for 25 projects and ten planning studies.

As of June 2022, 17 projects are active, ten have been cancelled (primarily due to low ridership), five are suspended (or not initiated) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 3 have been completed.

See more about the Community Based Circulators Program.

112
Safe Transit Stops

Projects to improve the 100 busiest transit stops in Orange County.

The Safe Transit Stops program is a program to fund passenger amenities at the busiest transit stops across Orange County. Stop improvements are designed to ease transfers between bus lines and provide passenger amenities such as the installation of bus benches, seating, shelters, and lighting. To date, the Board has allocated over $2.9 million through three calls for projects.

See more about the Safe Transit Stops Program.

The Community-Based Transit/Circulators program provides competitive funding for local jurisdictions to develop local bus transit services, such as community-based circulators and shuttles, that complement regional bus and rail services to meet needs in areas not adequately served by regional transit. To date, over $40 million has been allocated through four calls for projects for 25 projects and ten planning studies.

As of June 2022, 17 projects are active, ten have been cancelled (primarily due to low ridership), five are suspended (or not initiated) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 3 have been completed.

See more about the Community Based Circulators Program.

The Safe Transit Stops program is a program to fund passenger amenities at the busiest transit stops across Orange County. Stop improvements are designed to ease transfers between bus lines and provide passenger amenities such as the installation of bus benches, seating, shelters, and lighting. To date, the Board has allocated over $2.9 million through three calls for projects.

See more about the Safe Transit Stops Program.

1,300
Acres
Orange County Acres

Acquired and preserved as open space in areas important for regional conservation.

The OC Go Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) allocates funds to acquire land and restore habitat for comprehensive environmental mitigation of impacts resulting from the freeway improvement projects. These efforts ensured early and higher-value environmental benefits such as habitat protection, connectivity, and resource preservation.

To date, OCTA has acquired more than 1,300 acres in Brea, Laguna Beach, Silverado Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon and has funded 12 restoration projects for nearly 350 acres across Orange County. Acquired properties are purchased and permanently preserved as open space and ensure OCTA's wilderness preserves will remain forever protected from development. Funded restoration projects restore preserved open space lands to their native habitat and include the removal of invasive plant species.

As part of the Conservation Plan requirement, an endowment has been established to pay for the long-term management of the Preserves. As of June 30, 2022, the endowment balance was $19,332,924. Current projections indicate that OCTA remains on track to meet the endowment target of $46.2 million in FY 2027-28.

See more about the Environmental Mitigation Program.

45.3 M
Gallons of Trash
Orange County Trash

Captured as part of a program that removes visible pollutants from roads before they reach waterways.

OC Go funds grants that help the environment. These funds are allocated on a countywide, competitive basis to assist local agencies in meeting the Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation related pollution. This program is composed of a two-tiered funding process focusing on early priorities (Tier 1) and a second program designed to prepare for regional, potentially multi-jurisdictional, capital-intensive projects (Tier 2). To date, over $54.1 million has been allocated for 206 grants for devices that remove pollution from waterways. It is estimated that nearly 45.3 million gallons of trash have been captured through the Tier 1 Program since inception of the program, which is the equivalent of filling nearly 105 football fields with one-foot deep of trash. Over time, the volume of trash captured is expected to increase. In addition, it is estimated that the funded Tier 2 projects, once fully functional, will have an annual groundwater recharge potential of approximately 157 million gallons of water from infiltration or through pumped and treated recharge facilities.

See more about the Environmental Cleanup Program.

The OC Go Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) allocates funds to acquire land and restore habitat for comprehensive environmental mitigation of impacts resulting from the freeway improvement projects. These efforts ensured early and higher-value environmental benefits such as habitat protection, connectivity, and resource preservation.

To date, OCTA has acquired more than 1,300 acres in Brea, Laguna Beach, Silverado Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon and has funded 12 restoration projects for nearly 350 acres across Orange County. Acquired properties are purchased and permanently preserved as open space and ensure OCTA's wilderness preserves will remain forever protected from development. Funded restoration projects restore preserved open space lands to their native habitat and include the removal of invasive plant species.

As part of the Conservation Plan requirement, an endowment has been established to pay for the long-term management of the Preserves. As of June 30, 2022, the endowment balance was $19,332,924. Current projections indicate that OCTA remains on track to meet the endowment target of $46.2 million in FY 2027-28.

See more about the Environmental Mitigation Program.

OC Go funds grants that help the environment. These funds are allocated on a countywide, competitive basis to assist local agencies in meeting the Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation related pollution. This program is composed of a two-tiered funding process focusing on early priorities (Tier 1) and a second program designed to prepare for regional, potentially multi-jurisdictional, capital-intensive projects (Tier 2). To date, over $54.1 million has been allocated for 206 grants for devices that remove pollution from waterways. It is estimated that nearly 45.3 million gallons of trash have been captured through the Tier 1 Program since inception of the program, which is the equivalent of filling nearly 105 football fields with one-foot deep of trash. Over time, the volume of trash captured is expected to increase. In addition, it is estimated that the funded Tier 2 projects, once fully functional, will have an annual groundwater recharge potential of approximately 157 million gallons of water from infiltration or through pumped and treated recharge facilities.

See more about the Environmental Cleanup Program