Report ranks California county's streets and O.C. is well above average, shows effectiveness of OCTA's Measure M
ORANGE – The condition of Orange County’s streets and roads is ranked the best in the state, according to a report released this week by SaveCaliforniaStreets.org.
The report, compiled with the help of the League of California Cities and regional transportation agencies across the state, ranks streets on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best). Orange County’s streets average a 77, while the state average is 66.
The next closest ranking was San Joaquin County, which scored a 73, while the counties facing the toughest challenges scored in the low 30s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority administers funding for local street and road improvements and maintenance and last year allocated nearly $70 million, made possible in large part by Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation projects.
“When voters overwhelmingly supported the renewal of Measure M in 2006, they ensured a long-term investment in the quality of our road system,” said OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson, also the chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. “With the results of this study, we are clearly seeing how well that investment is paying off.”
Nearly one-third of all money raised through Measure M – 32 cents on every dollar collected – goes toward improving roads and streets in Orange County, including improving pavement conditions, synchronizing traffic signals and widening lanes. Approximately $5 billion is expected to go into improving local streets and roads through 2041.
The Save California Streets report has been compiled every two years since 2008. This is the second consecutive time Orange County’s streets have ranked as the best in the state.
The report also points out that finding adequate funding sources to keep up with road repairs will continue to be a challenge, especially as state and federal funds dry up. This makes local funding sources like Measure M even more essential. Statewide, California faces a more than $56 billion funding shortfall over the next 10 years.
To view the entire report, look online at SaveCaliforniaStreets.org.
