Vast Plan OKd to Fight Orange County Gridlock

Drawing up a wish list designed to head off “complete gridlock,” the Orange County Transportation Authority on Monday adopted a strategic plan that recommends spending $4.6 billion on transit projects over the next 10 years.

“This is a commitment to deliver,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer, vice chairman of the authority’s board of directors. “We have a responsibility to build on what Measure M was created for.”

The plan will exhaust current and future revenue from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990. The tax is expected to generate more than $4.5 billion for Orange County transportation projects by the time it expires in 2020.

In a unanimous decision, board members proposed a variety of ways Measure M money might be spent in the next decade, but they stopped short of approving specific projects. Their action also called on the agency’s staff to study the financial soundness of the plan and report back by the end of the year.

“We need to stay ahead of the curve,” said Arthur T. Leahy, the authority’s chief executive officer. “It is our responsibility to start now on the development of comprehensive transportation improvements for Orange County. If we don’t, we are headed for complete gridlock.”

The wish list includes street and highway improvements, carpool lanes, a 10- to 15-mile light-rail line, increased bus service and the expansion of Metrolink, the four-county commuter rail network.

Among the road improvements is a host of possibilities for the Riverside Freeway, one of the most congested highways in the state. The plan also calls for carpool lanes for the Garden Grove Freeway and the long-awaited widening of the Santa Ana Freeway in north Orange County.

In all, the agency estimates that the transportation initiative will cost about $4.6 billion. The agency has earmarked $3.2 billion of its own funds, mostly from Measure M. The balance is expected to come from state and federal sources.

County transportation officials say many, if not all, of the projects will be needed to meet “a tidal wave” of transit demand as the regional population continues to grow. If present trends continue, Orange County will add up to 600,000 residents by 2025.

“This should be our mission statement,” said Director Sarah L. Catz, who represents the county. “From our outreach efforts, we know the public has said they want these projects.”

Before casting their votes in favor of the plan, several board members questioned whether the authority could afford such a broad undertaking. They were concerned that too many assumptions were being made about Measure M’s potential revenue and the availability of state and federal funding.

“The price tag exceeds our means,” said Director Tim Keenan. “Perhaps a son of Measure M needs to be considered.”

Last year, a report by the Southern California Assn. of Governments recommended that voters be asked to extend transportation sales taxes in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Some Orange County officials have said a renewal of the tax is needed to maintain adequate funding for transportation.

Leahy said the proposed projects could be supported by Measure M before it expires. He described the wish list as ambitious, but--even by conservative terms--doable.

In other action Monday, board members approved a $3.1-million plan to add 35 buses and 60,000 hours of service along 18 routes. The expansion, which will take effect on Dec. 9, is designed to lower travel times, improve bus connections and build ridership.

The Orange County transportation agency also is studying the possible closure of four other routes because of poor performance--131 on Lakeview Street, 164 on Lampson Avenue, 173 on Orange Avenue, and 203, the San Juan Capistrano-Fullerton express.

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Proposals

Over the next 10 years, the Orange County Transportation Authority would like to make almost $4.6 billion in transit improvements. The wish list, with estimated costs:

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1. Complete Garden Grove Freeway carpool lane and north Santa Ana Freeway widening projects: $700 million

2. Improve travel on the Riverside Freeway: $180 million

Includes adding express bus service between Orange and Riverside counties; beginning Metrolink Riverside-to-Fullerton-to-Los Angeles service

3. Fix freeway bottlenecks: $380 million

4. Encourage car pooling on toll roads: To be determined

5. Invest in streets and roads: $720 million

Includes coordinating signals, making “smart” streets and funding street maintenance

6. Expand Metrolink commuter rail service: $250 million

Includes doubling peak-period service, adding a Buena Park station and extending platforms and parking at various stations

7. Expand local bus service: $260 million

Includes improving bus frequency and expanding services for seniors

8. Add express bus service on some highways: $40 million

Includes service between Industry and Anaheim on Orange Freeway; between San Clemente and Long Beach on the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways and San Joaquin Hills tollway; between Rancho Santa Margarita and Irvine Spectrum on Laguna Canyon Road and San Joaquin Hills tollway

9. Provide bus rapid transit service along

some main streets: $1.03 billion

Including service along the Pacific Electric right of way to Los Angeles, Beach or Harbor Boulevard, Katella Avenue, Edinger Avenue

10. Build light-rail transit: $1.1 billion

Build 10 to 15 miles of light-rail transit

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Source: Orange County Transit Authority