Measure M funds awarded on competitive basis include projects to widen streets, intersections and to synchronize signals
ORANGE – Cities throughout Orange County will receive more than $35 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 eight projects that will improve and widen busy streets and intersections, totaling $23.4 million.
Six additional projects will receive funding to synchronize traffic signals to ensure drivers hit the most green lights during peak traffic hours. That funding totals $12.1 million. The funds are available through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as OC Go.
“Even in these unprecedented times, it’s important that we continue working on Orange County’s transportation network and providing the funding necessary to keep Orange County moving,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “This is another great example of how OCTA partners with cities to put Measure M dollars to good use, and to keep our promises to voters.”
Since Measure M was renewed by voters in 2006, more than $427 million in competitive funding has been awarded to make Orange County streets and roads better. That amount includes external funding leveraged by Measure M funds. And that's in addition to another $439 million in formula funding.
The most recent call for projects was issued by OCTA in August 2019 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.
The cities receiving project funds include: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach and Yorba Linda.
Regional capacity projects include:
- Widening University Drive from Ridgeline Drive to I-405 in Irvine.
- Enhancing the capacity of Marguerite Parkway and Jeronimo Road intersection in Mission Viejo.
- Improving the intersection of West Coast Highway and Superior Avenue/Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach.
- Widening and improving Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano.
- Improving Bristol Street between Civic Center Drive and Washington Avenue in Santa Ana.
- Improving Bristol Street between Warner Avenue and St. Andrew Place in Santa Ana.
- Improving Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda.
- Widening Yorba Linda Boulevard in Yorba Linda.
Signal synchronization projects include:
- Baker Street/Victoria Street/19th Street in Costa Mesa.
- Bolsa Chica Street between Chapman Avenue and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach.
- Barranca Parkway in Irvine.
- Lambert Road Corridor in La Habra.
- Tustin Avenue and Rose Drive in Orange.
- Seal Beach Boulevard signal synchronization and controller upgrades in Seal Beach.
The complete list of projects that received funding is attached.
