OCTA Awards $19.5M to Improve Biking, Walking in O.C.

The Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors recently approved more than $19.5 million to help Orange County cities improve their bikeways and walkways.

Funding through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program was awarded to 13 projects that promote mobility options by increasing safety, provide regional linkages to key destinations, close bikeway corridor gaps and improve air quality across the county.

Projects that received funding are in Anaheim, Dana Point, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Tustin and the County of Orange.

“I’m impressed to see so many O.C. cities step up to the plate in favor of active transportation and OCTA is happy to make so these worthwhile projects possible,” said OCTA Chair Lori Donchak. “Orange County is ideal for biking and walking and these projects will encourage more of us to considering leaving ours cars at home.”

A call for projects was issued by OCTA in March, making available $20 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects. The project applications were reviewed by an advisory panel and funding was granted based on project readiness, local match contribution, cost-benefit ratio, connectivity to surrounding amenities and compliance with state and federal laws and requirements.

Projects awarded funding include:

• $2.3 million for Main Street/El Camino Real improvements in Tustin
• $2.27 million for protected bicycle lanes on Bristol Street in Santa Ana
• $2.22 million for a bicycle boulevard on Wilshire Avenue in Fullerton
• $2.07 million to extend the bikeway and walkway on Coast Highway in Dana Point
• $1.11 million for bicycle corridor improvements in Garden Grove

Prior to this award, OCTA has funded 27 projects with a value of nearly $10 million through the Bicycle Corridor Improvement Program. OCTA sets aside 10 percent of its federal CMAQ funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects.