News & Events

Budget delivers bus and rail service while making conservative projections to plan for the future

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors today approved a balanced budget of $1.76 billion for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

The budget keeps essential transportation improvements moving forward while responsibly planning for a balanced and sustainable transportation future for Orange County.

The approved budget makes significant investments in public transit – totaling approximately 52% of the overall budget – and makes improvements to Orange County’s freeways and streets to keep the county moving safely and efficiently.

Overall, the fiscal year 2024-25 budget represents approximately a $58 million increase (about 3.4%) over the previous year’s budget. This mirrors a similar budget increase last year, which followed two years of budget cuts largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m proud to see OCTA deliver another balanced budget that will continue to enhance our transportation system, improving transit, freeways and local streets,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “The hard work done by OCTA staff and our Board means that we can be responsible stewards of taxpayer money while continuing to improve quality of life for Orange County residents, workers and visitors.”

Other themes of the budget include:

• Planning responsibly and conservatively for the current economic climate, while maintaining strong reserve levels
• Ongoing investment in zero-emission buses and infrastructure to support the ongoing conversion to a full zero-emission fleet
• Stable operations of the newly opened 405 Express Lanes, performing as forecasted in its first six months, and of the 91 Express Lanes, which continues to perform well
• Delivering on the projects and programs promised through Measure M
• Continuing to fund Metrolink service and implementing the rail-service optimization model
• Advancing planning studies for solutions to protect the coastal rail line
• Making significant progress toward completion of the OC Streetcar project and beginning pre-revenue service.

Measure M – the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation – will continue to fund improvements to freeways and streets throughout Orange County, in addition to multiple transit and environmental programs. Transportation funds are provided to cities through formula and competitive funding.

Major initiatives for the budget include advancing capital improvement projects on freeways, including I-5 in South County, SR-55, SR-57 and SR-91. The year ahead will also improve local streets and continue serving Orange County’s transit needs, while moving toward a goal of zero-emissions to help improve air quality for the entire community.

The FY 2024-25 budget encompasses all services, projects and programs that are administered by OCTA.

An 11-member independent oversight committee reviews how the funds are being spent to improve transportation in Orange County and found OCTA is delivering on promises for 33rd straight year

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined for the 33rd consecutive year that the Measure M transportation investment plan is being delivered as promised to the voters of Orange County.

The Taxpayer Oversight Committee held its annual Measure M public hearing Tuesday, June 11, and found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the Measure M plan, which was renewed by 70% of voters in 2006.

“It’s important we have the members of this independent committee ensuring OCTA is investing taxpayer funds as intended to improve the way we all move throughout the county,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen, also a public representative on the Board of Directors. “It’s reassuring that for the 33rd year in a row the committee has determined those funds are being properly used to improve quality of life in our county.”

The independent 11-member oversight committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, approve all changes to the investment plan and hold annual public hearings on whether OCTA is proceeding in accordance with the plan.

Measure M will continue funding balanced and sustainable transportation improvements through 2041 with revenues expected to exceed $14 billion. The voter-approved funding plan allocates 43% to freeways, 32% to streets and roads, 25% to transit, and includes two environmental programs.

The goals of Measure M include:

• Relieving congestion
• Maintaining transportation infrastructure
• Supporting rail and community transit options
• Synchronize signals across cities and the county
• Reducing transit costs for seniors and people with disabilities
• Preserving and restoring natural habitat in perpetuity, and
• Reducing transportation-related pollution in Orange County.

The original Measure M made possible more than $4 billion worth of transportation improvements to help Orange County residents, workers and visitors travel more efficiently throughout all parts of the county.

For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, visit www.octa.net/TOC.

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Chair Tam T. Nguyen and CEO Darrell E. Johnson unveil plan for OCTA to sustain and enhance a balanced, innovative transportation network for all Orange County

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority in 2024 will focus on continuing to build a transportation network that is balanced, equitable and reliable, is fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars, and protects the environment that makes Orange County such a special place to live.

Those guiding principles are part of the 2024 Board and CEO Strategic Initiatives and Action Plan, which was unveiled during this week’s Board meeting by OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen and by OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson.

Each year, the newly elected chair works with the CEO to formulate and present the document that guides the agency’s efforts throughout the coming year. The initiatives are then presented to the full 17-member board for a vote. The board unanimously approved this year’s initiatives. OCTA continues to prioritize safety, which has always guided all OCTA actions.

“OCTA has a strong history of working diligently on our promise to provide a reliable and equitable transportation network that has thrived even through challenging times and improved the quality of people’s lives,” Chair Nguyen said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on our transportation initiatives that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of Orange County’s residents, workers and visitors in the coming months and years.”

The overarching initiatives for OCTA in 2024 include:

• Providing the Public with a Balanced, Sustainable, and Equitable Transportation System
• Sustaining Organizational Excellence, Collaboration, and Diversity
• Safeguarding the Future through Fiscal Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability

“Each year, the initiatives and action plan ensure that OCTA Board members and staff are working in lock step to deliver on our promises to taxpayers and to continue delivering a balanced, innovative transportation system that evolves with changing needs to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently,” CEO Johnson said.

To learn more about OCTA programs and projects, visit www.octa.net.

New tolled express lanes opened Dec. 1, along with a new general-purpose lane in each direction, helping everyone who travels through one of the nation’s most traveled corridors

ORANGE – The 405 Express Lanes, open for two months as of today, is helping tens of thousands of drivers every day speed up their commutes with a reliable time-saving option for traveling through one of the nation’s busiest stretches of highway.

In its first seven weeks of operation, the 405 Express Lanes recorded 6.3 million transactions, translating to approximately 2 million trips taken on the 405 Express Lanes. Because the 14 miles of express lanes have several entrances and exits, and drivers are only charged for the sections they drive, in some cases multiple transactions are recorded per trip.

The 405 Express Lanes opened Dec. 1 as part of a $2.1 billion improvement project that also included a general-purpose lane in each direction on I-405 between Costa Mesa and the border with Los Angeles County. The project also included 18 new bridges, on- and off-ramps and new sidewalks and bike lanes, improving access to and from communities neighboring the 405.

“We are happy to see how the improvements to the new 405 Express Lanes are making a difference in the lives of so many of our residents, commuters and visitors who can now better access the many different destinations that make Orange County such a unique and vibrant place," said OCTA Chair Tam. T. Nguyen. “The millions of trips already taken underscores the need for these innovative transportation solutions that help keep Orange County moving."

During those first seven weeks, more than 4,100 405 Express Lanes accounts were opened and more than 6,800 transponders issued. Because all toll lanes in California are interoperable, many travelers use existing transponder accounts with 33% of total transactions coming from Transportation Corridor Agencies transponders and 15% from LA Metro.

With the opening on the first day of December, use of the 405 Express Lanes grew sharply and then slowed during the holiday period. Trips picked up again in the new year. On peak days, approximately 59,000 trips have been taken on the 405 Express Lanes.

That level of usage is equivalent to the level seen on the 91 Express Lanes, which OCTA has owned and operated for more than 20 years, pioneering the use of express lanes to provide a reliable travel option and improve commuting for everyone who travels the corridor.

On the 405 Express Lanes, northbound transactions account for about 55% of all transactions and the heaviest usage occurs on Fridays – with the lowest usage on Sundays. The majority of transactions so far are from solo-occupancy vehicles, and the heaviest traveled section of the 405 Express Lanes is between I-605 and SR-22 – one of the most traveled areas nationwide. As the 405 Express Lanes evolve, OCTA will routinely monitor usage and make adjustments to operations as necessary to continue meeting the evolving needs of travelers across the region.

For more information or to sign up for an account, visit www.405expresslanes.com.

The Board also appointed Doug Chaffee to serve as Vice Chair and four members were sworn into new terms on the Orange County transportation board.

ORANGE – At its first meeting of 2024, the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority unanimously selected Tam T. Nguyen as its new chair.

With an annual budget of $1.7 billion, OCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering public transportation improvements for Orange County.

Last year, Chair Nguyen served as vice chair on the OCTA Board of Directors. He replaces outgoing Chairman Gene Hernandez.

Nguyen, a Fountain Valley resident, is a community and education leader.

“Since being appointed to serve as a public member on the OCTA Board in 2021, I have witnessed firsthand how much this agency is making a difference in helping to enhance travel options for residents, businesses and visitors,” Nguyen said. “I am grateful for the tremendous amount of trust of my fellow board members in selecting me as their chair, and I look forward to working with them as stewards of the public’s funds to continue innovating and delivering a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system for Orange County’s diverse communities.”

Chair Nguyen serves as one of two public members on the OCTA Board, and he has served in that capacity since April 2021. Nguyen has been a member of OCTA’s Diverse Community Leaders Group since its creation more than a decade ago.

Nguyen is also respected throughout the county as a leader in business and philanthropy. He is co-owner of Advance Beauty College, a second generation, family-owned business that was founded in 1987. Over 50,000 students have graduated from its innovative training with many becoming successful entrepreneurs, beauty manufacturers and salon owners in the beauty-care industry throughout North America.

Under his leadership as president from 1999 to 2022, Advance Beauty College has become nationally recognized for its manicuring program. It has been honored as a Civic 50 OC, Excellence in Education, Center for Family Business Hall of Fame Commitment to Education Award and Inaugural Golden School Award from the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

Nguyen teaches business management at California State University, Fullerton, and is past president of the university’s alumni association. In 2015, he received the Cal State Fullerton Vision & Visionaries Award. He is currently the chair of the Cal State Fullerton’s Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors.

In addition to his leadership with Advance Beauty College and Cal State Fullerton, Nguyen serves on the board of directors for Genesis Bank, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center & Saddleback Medical Center, Small Business Diversity Network, Orange County United Way, Pro Nails Association, Center for Family Business, Garden Grove Police Chief’s Advisory Council and recently the board of the Garden Grove Community Foundation, Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce and Project Vietnam Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nguyen co-founded Nailing It for America, a volunteer group that helped collect and deliver nearly $30 million worth of personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals, frontline workers and vulnerable community members.

Chair Nguyen was 1 year old when he and his family arrived in California in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. He and his wife are proud to be raising their three children in Fountain Valley and to be part of Orange County’s vibrant Vietnamese American community. He is a local college graduate who studied at both UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.

Elected by the OCTA Board to serve as Vice Chair was Director Doug Chaffee.

Newly appointed members of the OCTA Board include: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Garden Grove Councilmember Stephanie Klopfenstein and Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens.

The OCTA Board is comprised of 18 members, including the five county supervisors, two members from city councils in each of the five supervisorial districts, two public members and the Caltrans District Director serves in a non-voting ex-officio capacity.

Two new regular lanes and the 405 Express Lanes opened to traffic on Dec. 1 as part of OCTA’s I-405 Improvement Project

ORANGE – Transportation leaders and elected officials gathered today, Friday, Dec. 1, to celebrate the successful completion of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s I-405 Improvement Project, which aims to improve travel times along one of the nation’s busiest highways.

The opening of one new regular lane in each direction and the 405 Express Lanes took place this morning, providing a faster and more reliable commute for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who traverse this stretch of freeway each day.

“I am immensely proud to announce the successful completion of the I-405 Improvement Project, the largest undertaking in OCTA’s history,” said OCTA Chairman Gene Hernandez, also the mayor of Yorba Linda. “OCTA’s delivery of this project showcases our commitment to Orange County’s voters and to improving the quality of life for everyone who lives, works or travels through this area.”

A Faster Future Unveiled

The I-405 Improvement Project, constructed in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation, broke ground in 2018, and was a cornerstone of Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation. The project is expected to improve travel times along this 16-mile stretch of freeway and accommodate an expected growth in employment, population and housing throughout the region.

The project added one regular lane in each direction of I-405 between Euclid Street in Fountain Valley and I-605 in Seal Beach, as promised to voters through Measure M. It also made improvements to streets and freeway on- and off-ramps, and reconstructed 18 bridges, many now featuring new sidewalks and bike lanes.

“Whether you commute daily, choose to use the 405 Express Lanes, or opt for biking and walking through our communities, the I-405 Improvement Project is a testament to our commitment to enhancing Orange County’s transportation system,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the residents, businesses and commuters for their patience during construction as we worked to create a faster and more efficient future in Southern California.”

Live Life on Time

The project also created the 405 Express Lanes between SR-73 in Costa Mesa and I-605 at the Orange County border with Los Angeles County, offering options to carpoolers to travel for free and solo drivers the choice to speed up their commute for a toll.

Operated by OCTA, the 405 Express Lanes is two lanes in each direction in the center of the freeway. All vehicles are required to have a FasTrak transponder and a valid account with any toll agency in California to enter the 405 Express Lanes. The FasTrak transponder can be from any agency in California.

Tolls will vary by hour, day of the week, direction of travel and distance traveled, and will be adjusted regularly to ensure a free-flowing commute.

Vehicles with three or more people, along with motorcycles and vehicles with designated veterans license plates, will always get to travel on the 405 Express Lanes for free with a FasTrak transponder and a valid account with any toll agency in California. Vehicles with a disabled person license plate will also get to travel for free on the 405 Express Lanes with a FasTrak transponder and a valid 405 Express Lanes account.

All vehicles are required to have a FasTrak transponder, which can be used on any toll facility in California, and a valid account. To take advantage of the free tolls for carpoolers on the 405 Express Lanes, drivers must have a switchable FasTrak Flex transponder.

Drivers can enter or exit the facility from I-405, SR-73, SR-22 and I-605. In addition, drivers on I-405 can enter or exit the 405 Express Lanes at Magnolia Street / Warner Avenue, and Bolsa Avenue / Goldenwest Street, providing opportunities to reach every interchange and business along the corridor.

Investing in a Better Commute

The $2.16 billion I-405 Improvement Project was financed with a combination of local, state and federal funds, with the majority of funding from Measure M.

The express lanes portion of the project is not funded with local sales tax dollars but instead is paid for through a $629 million federal Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan that will be repaid solely by drivers who choose to pay a toll. Toll revenue collected beyond what it costs to repay the loan will fund transportation improvements for everyone who travels through the 405 corridor – whether or not they choose to use the express lanes.

The I-405 Improvement Project was designed and constructed by OC 405 Partners, a joint venture of OHLA USA, Inc. and Astaldi Construction Corporation. Kapsch TrafficCom USA is responsible for the tolling and traffic management systems of the 405 Express Lanes. A team led by WSP USA is responsible for the 405 Express Lanes customer service operations and ETC, LLC is responsible for the back-office system for the 405 Express Lanes.

“This entire project has been a model of successful strategic cooperation from the stakeholder and community engagement to the work of our private-sector partners, as well as the coordination with the State of California, the Federal Highway Administration and local cities, I want to thank each individual, organization and agency that came together to bring this project to life,” Johnson said.

While the bulk of the work is now complete, crews will be putting the finishing touches on the project over the next several months.

For more information about the 405 Express Lanes, visit 405ExpressLanes.com.

For general information about the project, visit octa.net/405Improvement.

Photo caption: OCTA board members join CEO Darrell E. Johnson at a dedication event commemorating the completion of the I-405 Improvement Project on Friday, Dec. 1. Photo courtesy of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

OCTA’s innovative Environmental Mitigation Program serves as an example for transportation agencies around the country

ORANGE – As the Orange County Transportation Authority advances programs and services to enhance the county’s transportation network, it’s also working with the environmental community to protect what makes Orange County such a great place to live.

That commitment was recently affirmed by a Federal Highway Administration case study that demonstrates how transportation improvements and environmental goals can be mutually accomplished through strong partnerships.

Since 2006, when Orange County voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal of a 30-year, half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, the Measure M funds have helped implement OCTA’s comprehensive Environmental Mitigation Program.

With funds for that program, OCTA has improved freeway project coordination and approval, has sped up the permitting process, and has helped preserve more than 1,300 acres of high-value undeveloped wildlands and restored approximately 350 acres of native habitat in Orange County.

“The recognition of OCTA’s environmental efforts in this case study further demonstrates that OCTA is keeping its commitments made to taxpayers through Measure M, and it shows that transportation and environmental goals can be achieved simultaneously,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

In simple terms, in coordination with state and federal agencies, the program takes a comprehensive approach to mitigate the environmental impacts from the 13 freeway projects approved by voters in Measure M. Rather than the traditional piecemeal method of mitigating near each project, OCTA was able to provide a greater environmental benefit through the purchase of large swaths of connected land around the county.

These properties contain high-value, threatened and endangered habitat and wildlife and were eligible for development. OCTA bought the land from willing sellers, ensuring their preservation in perpetuity.

The Federal Highway Administration’s case study, released earlier this year, indicates that OCTA’s program has developed mechanisms that allow for advanced compensatory mitigation, a specific type of environmental mitigation required by the Clean Water Act.

OCTA performed compensatory mitigation in advance of its freeway projects even before it was required. The agency’s Environmental Mitigation Program is one case study in a series conducted by the Federal Highway Administration that highlights how transportation agencies around the country are implementing a system called Eco-Logical. It’s a novel approach to mitigation planning that’s designed to help transportation, resource, and regulatory agencies work together to develop infrastructure and conservation processes and determine a joint set of environmental priorities.

OCTA partnered with resource and regulatory agencies to develop mitigation planning resources like the Measure M Conservation Plan and Preserve-specific Resource Management Plans, which prioritize sensitive habitats and species in Southern California.

At the same time, OCTA’s program has also greatly reduced the time it takes to process a freeway project permit and has improved the overall efficiency of project coordination and approval, allowing for project’s to be built sooner to keep Orange County moving. Expedited project delivery helps to manage costs and allows residents to realize tangible benefits of their tax dollars more quickly.

One of the first steps OCTA took toward utilizing the Eco-Logical approach was establishing the Environmental Oversight Committee in 2007. The 12-member committee evaluates and makes recommendations on the allocation of environmental mitigation funds related to resource protection and regulatory requirements.

Through its strong partnerships, OCTA continues to follow the Eco-Logical approach to accelerate project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.

For more information, please visit www.octa.net/environmental.

OCTA will distribute federal funds to local cities for pavement reconstruction and upkeep, offsetting effects of sales tax drops during COVID-19 pandemic

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority earlier this month awarded nearly $11 million in federal funds for paving and upkeep of streets across Orange County, helping maintain the county’s high-quality pavement conditions for the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The funds totaling $10.9 million, from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), are intended to offset revenue losses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“These funds will help continue Orange County’s commitment for high-quality pavement conditions that make it possible for our residents, workers, and visitors to travel safely and efficiently,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The funds will be distributed to Orange County cities and the county using a formula based on population, with each receiving a minimum of $200,000. Anaheim, with more than 350,000 residents, is set to receive more than $1 million, while a city such as Villa Park, with fewer than 6,000 residents, still gets $200,000. The population-based formula is consistent with how funds are being distributed statewide through the California Transportation Commission.

Although local cities and the county may have received state and federal stimulus funds for a variety of needs, the use of CRRSAA funds ensures that the money goes directly to transportation needs.

Based on pavement management plan reports submitted by local agencies, there is a backlog in current and projected Orange County pavement needs.

The use of the federal CRRSAA funds will help make up for decreases in transportation funding from both local and state sales tax, which declined during the pandemic and impacted agencies abilities to maintain roadways.

The funds will be used specifically for pavement preservation, preventative maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

OCTA, County of Orange and City of San Clemente reaffirm commitment to transportation solutions that minimize community impacts

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – The Orange County Transportation Authority, County of Orange and City of San Clemente all recently approved a Cooperative Agreement to support a trio of south Orange County transportation projects that will meet near-term congestion relief needs while minimizing impacts on local communities.

This Cooperative Agreement follows more than two decades of discussions regarding the proposed toll road extension through protected open space in both San Mateo State Park, near San Onofre State Beach and the City of San Clemente. Significant efforts to finally resolve the issue emerged in the past two years with the involvement and leadership of Senator Pat Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, OCTA, City of San Clemente and County of Orange.

“Being able to bring key players to the table and create a blueprint for addressing community concerns and developing local solutions to improve mobility in South County, is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Orange County Supervisor and OCTA Director, Lisa Bartlett, who led the collaborative effort to find an agreement. “Residents can rest easy knowing what the future holds for transportation projects and planning efforts in the City of San Clemente’s backyard and throughout the region.”

“For decades, residents in San Clemente have spoken loud and clear about the importance of preserving our open space and protecting the character of our community,” said San Clemente Mayor Kathy Ward. “Thanks to this agreement, we can finally focus on common-sense traffic solutions to ensure our City and our neighboring cities remain desirable places to live, work and visit.”

“I am heartened to see the spirit of cooperation in Orange County that has allowed transportation leaders to come together to address the environmental concerns of residents and local businesses, and create an agreement for the future of mobility in South Orange County,” said Senator Pat Bates. “Therefore, I am happy to withdraw Senate Bills 760 and 761, which were the impetus for regional leaders to come together to author this cooperative agreement.”

As previously approved, the near-term projects spelled out in the Cooperative Agreement to improve South County mobility include:

• Construction of the Los Patrones Parkway Extension as a non-tolled county arterial from its current terminus at Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata in San Clemente
• OCTA’s and Caltrans’ efforts to complete high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane improvements on Interstate 5 between Avenida Pico and the San Diego County Line
• The Ortega Highway (SR-74) widening in San Juan Capistrano from two lanes to four lanes between Calle Entradero and the city/county border

OCTA, Transportation Corridor Agencies, and Caltrans agreed on those three projects in March 2020, in lieu of extending the SR-241 Toll Road. The approach supports protection of previously approved conservation easements and protected lands within San Clemente, is consistent with OCTA’s commitment to follow a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process that provides all partner agencies and stakeholders opportunities to engage and provide input.

Reaffirming the commitment to those projects, the Cooperative Agreement was approved by OCTA on Oct. 11 and by the County and City at their meetings on Oct. 5. In part, the agreement states the County of Orange and OCTA “will not build, support or authorize a new major thoroughfare in the City in an area that is subject to a conservation easement or is protected as open space under a local initiative.”

Additionally, the agencies agreed that OCTA, as the state-designated County Transportation Commission, will work with stakeholders to plan any necessary long-term improvements.

OCTA is currently underway on its South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study that is looking at a wide range of transportation needs and solutions over the next 25 years, including improvements to streets, bus and other transit options, highways and bikeways. This study, expected to be finished in spring 2022, includes participation of key stakeholders and follows on a similar study that was done in 2008, which resulted in a more than $1.5 billion investment in south county transportation projects and services. In addition, OCTA is working on the 2022 Long Range Transportation Plan, developed every four years and expected to be complete fall 2022, which serves as the vision for Orange County’s future transportation needs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced its Build America Bureau (the “Bureau”) has provided a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act TIFIA direct loan in the amount of up to $628.93 million to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for the I-405 Improvement Project (the Project). The Department provides TIFIA and other surface transportation infrastructure financing through the Bureau.

The loan proceeds will finance part of the construction costs of the Project, which is being built in a 16-mile corridor in northwest Orange County on I-405 between State Route 73 and Interstate 605. The Project will add one new General-Purpose lane and one new toll lane in each direction in the 16-mile corridor. The new tolled express lanes will combine with the existing high occupancy vehicle lane to create two Express Lanes in each direction.

The project aims to improve operations of one of the most congested freeways in the country and is expected to generate about 26,000 jobs. It will also create more reliable and timely access to job centers, schools and to essential services for residents of this region. Its design also incorporates climate resilience elements, especially against flooding and earthquake risks, as well as pedestrian and bike-friendly elements.

The TIFIA loan will replace the current loan that the Bureau provided to OCTA for the Project in July 2017. The new loan, at a lower interest rate, will generate approximately US $258 million in nominal financing costs savings for OCTA over the life of the loan, providing relief from COVID-19 which affected OCTA’s revenues, and helping OCTA continue to deliver its capital improvement plan.  

Project construction is already underway. OCTA expects to open the Project to the public by October 2023. 

The Bureau, which administers the TIFIA credit program, was established as a “one-stop-shop” to streamline credit opportunities while also providing technical assistance and encouraging innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery, and operation. The Bureau has the resources and full commitment to provide additional flexibility and financial assistance to transportation projects in regions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the negative effects and help them with quicker recovery from this crisis.  The U.S. Department of Transportation has closed $34.5 billion in TIFIA financings, supporting more than $120 billion in infrastructure investment across the country.

OCTA is the first agency in the nation to reset a partially drawn TIFIA loan, taking advantage of low interest rates to realize significant savings

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority today reset the interest rate to 1.95 percent on its $629 million federal loan for the I-405 Improvement Project, a first-of-its-kind reset that will help save an additional $158 million over the life of the loan.

OCTA finalized its initial loan in 2017 with a 2.91 percent interest rate through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, commonly called TIFIA.

Late last year, OCTA began working with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau, the agency that runs the TIFIA program, to pay off its existing loan and execute a new one to take advantage of lower interest rates.

OCTA is the first agency to ever reset a partially drawn TIFIA loan, taking advantage of historically low interest rates to realize significant savings of $158 million on a net present value basis.

“I’m proud of OCTA for being proactive in taking advantage of low interest rates to help save millions of dollars for our taxpayers,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Thank you to our partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation for working with us to create a model on how to refinance a drawn TIFIA loan, setting an example for other transportation agencies throughout the country to save public funds that can be reinvested in our infrastructure.”

The TIFIA loan will be repaid solely using the revenue collected from drivers who choose to use the 405 Express Lanes being built as part of the I-405 Improvement Project.

Toll revenue collected beyond what it costs to repay the loan will fund transportation improvements for everyone who travels through the 405 corridor – whether or not they use the Express Lanes. The interest rate savings will allow more money to be available sooner to make those additional improvements along I-405.

“Innovative financing is critical to delivering major infrastructure projects and it’s great to see OCTA lead in this area to maximize available funding and continue making improvements for everyone who lives, works and drives near the 405 Freeway,” said Michael Hennessey, Chairman of OCTA’s Finance and Administration Committee. “This effort will help create greater revenue potential for future projects in the area.”

The original TIFIA loan for the I-405 Improvement Project was estimated to save about $300 million over the life of the loan compared to traditional bond financing, allowing the 405 Express Lanes to remain free to two-person carpools during non-peak hours when the express lanes open, a commitment made by OCTA.

To generate additional savings, OCTA is working on issuing Bond Anticipation Notes, a short-term financing tool used during the construction of projects, to allow OCTA to take advantage of lower short-term interest rates over the next three years instead of drawing on its TIFIA loan. The issuance of these notes is expected to save an additional $20 million.

“Every dollar we can save Orange County taxpayers in interest, is one more dollar we can invest in our infrastructure to enhance our transportation system,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “I want to thank our federal partners and all those who played a role in helping to realize these tremendous savings.”

The $2.1 billion I-405 Improvement Project, now more than halfway complete, will add one regular lane in each direction of I-405 between Euclid Street and I-605, and a second lane in each direction in the center of the freeway from SR-73 to I-605 that will combine with the existing carpool lanes to form the 405 Express Lanes.

This 16-mile segment of I-405 is one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation, and drivers routinely face severe congestion in both the regular lanes and carpool lanes. The project, anticipated to be completed in 2023, is critical to accommodate expected employment, population and housing growth throughout the region.

For more information about the I-405 Improvement Project, visit octa.net/405improvement.

Since 1991, OCTA’s services and investments in transportation have provided Orange County with the balanced, comprehensive transportation network it has today.

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is marking its 30th anniversary this month – three decades of improving the region’s transit, streets and freeways and ongoing work toward a balanced and sustainable transportation system.

In June 1991, OCTA was formed through the consolidation of seven different agencies that focused on various aspects of transportation across the county.

The move to streamline efforts into a single agency allowed for coordination of transportation planning for the county’s growing population, greatly increasing efficiency and saving millions of dollars in taxpayer money by eliminating duplication of efforts.

Since then, Orange County residents have gotten to know OCTA, not only by the familiar blue, orange and white logo on OC Buses, but also through the agency’s many efforts to connect them to employment, education, medical needs, and entertainment.

“When you look back at the 30 years OCTA has been in existence, we can take pride in so many accomplishments to improve Orange County’s freeways and streets, provide reliable transit, protect the environment, and so much more,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “With the strong support of the public, who overwhelmingly voted to approve Measure M to fund many of those improvements, we will continue to have a bright future with a balanced and sustainable transportation network.”

Back in 1991, Orange County had about 2.4 million residents. Since then, the population has grown by more than 700,000 residents – or approximately 30 percent – and the county has increasingly become an important employment center and tourist destination, making the goal of keeping Orange County moving even more important.

OCTA’s successes would not be possible without the vision and support of local voters, who passed the Measure M half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in 1990 and then renewed it with 70 percent of the vote in 2006.

Since then, funds from Measure M, also known as OC Go, have led to a wide range of transportation improvements, with funding help from OCTA’s state and federal partners. Those improvements included:

• Major expansions of Orange County freeways, improving traffic flow on Interstate 5, widened from six to 10 lanes, and improvements to State Routes 55, 22 and 91, among others.
• Metrolink commuter rail was added to Orange County. Prior to 1991, Amtrak was the only passenger rail service, operating one train daily between Los Angeles and San Juan Capistrano. Now OCTA works with Metrolink to fund 54 weekday and 16 weekend trains serving the county.
• Bus transit was expanded and tailored to fit the county’s needs, including nearly 60 routes and 5,400 stops, as well as paratransit. OCTA also piloted microtransit with the OC Flex service and works with cities to provide shuttle services.
• In 2003, OCTA purchased and began operating the 91 Express Lanes, 10 miles of tolled express lanes between Anaheim and Riverside County that give commuters a reliable time-saving transportation option and have led to improvements throughout the 91 freeway corridor.
• More than $1 billion in OC Go funds have gone back to cities and the county for street improvements and local transportation needs.
• More than 3,000 traffic signals have been synchronized, leading to more green lights and more efficient travel.

Just as importantly, OCTA has worked to preserve what makes Orange County such a special place to live by protecting the environment.

OCTA has purchased more than 1,300 acres of open space from willing land owners to protect valuable plant and animal life forever. And more than $55 million has been awarded in competitive grants to fund projects that trap and clean up transportation-related pollution before it reaches local waterways, leading to cleaner waterways and oceans.

While taking time to mark the accomplishments of the past 30 years, OCTA, led by its 18-member Board of Directors, continues to look toward a bright transportation future. That includes work on a 16-mile, $2 billion improvement to the I-405 between Costa Mesa and the county’s border with Long Beach, scheduled to be completed in 2023.

That same year, OC Streetcar, the county’s first modern, electric streetcar along a 4.1-mile route in Santa Ana and Garden Grove, is also set to open.

“We’ve come a long way in these first three decades,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “While we take a moment to reflect, there’s plenty to be excited about as we look ahead at expanding on OCTA’s accomplishments and keeping our residents, workers and visitors moving safely and efficiently.”

To see more about OCTA’s first 30 years, visit octa.net/30years.

Contract will secure 10 battery chargers needed for plug-in electric pilot program beginning later this year

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved awarding a contract for 10 battery chargers to support a pilot program testing how plug-in battery-electric buses perform on Orange County streets.

The action is the latest among OCTA’s many efforts to move to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040.

The contract with One Source Distributors, for approximately $863,000, will provide 10 battery chargers for the 40-foot buses that will operate as part of the pilot program beginning later this year. The cost of the chargers, which also includes training for those who will operate and maintain the equipment, is paid for through the state’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.

To support charging of the plug-in battery-electric buses, OCTA is also partnering with Southern California Edison to provide necessary electrical infrastructure at the bus operations base in Garden Grove.

In fall 2020, the OCTA board approved a $10.4 million contract with New Flyer of America for the purchase of the 10 plug-in electric buses to begin a pilot program in late 2021. In addition, in January 2020, OCTA began operating 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses in a separate pilot program to test that technology, which also produces no emissions.

Both pilot programs will help determine which technology – or mix of technologies – will work best for Orange County moving forward. It’s another important step toward zero-emission transportation technology for a balanced and sustainable future – one that will help bring even cleaner air quality.

OCTA will begin phasing in additional zero-emission buses as part of future bus purchases. Staff will continue to analyze emerging technologies and work with partners to secure funding for purchase, operations and maintenance of zero-emission buses.

The effort aligns with California’s Innovative Clean Transit Rule, a first-of-its kind regulation in the U.S. that sets a goal for public transit agencies to gradually transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040. The Innovative Clean Transit Rule is part of the state’s comprehensive program helping to achieve California’s air quality and climate goals.

Budget continues to make conservative projections, reflecting COVID-19 pandemic impacts, while advancing transportation improvements for Orange County

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority today approved a budget of approximately $1.3 billion for the upcoming fiscal year – a balanced budget that makes conservative assumptions due to the ongoing financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping important transportation improvements moving forward.

The OCTA board on Monday OK’d the balanced budget – down more than $282 million or 18% compared to last year’s amended OCTA budget – for the 2021-22 fiscal year that begins July 1.

Major initiatives for the budget include advancing capital improvement projects on freeways, including I-405, I-5 in South County, SR-55, SR-57 and SR-91. It will also improve local streets and continue serving Orange County’s transit needs, while keeping health and safety as the top priority.

“Considering the many challenges of the last year with the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m so proud of the work OCTA has done to deliver this balanced budget,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “We have maintained our commitment as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars to invest in a balanced and sustainable transportation system for all of Orange County.”

The FY 2021-22 budget encompasses all services, projects and programs that are administered by OCTA. The budget reflects a significant investment in capital projects.

Measure M, also known as OC Go, will continue to fund improvements to freeways and streets throughout Orange County, along with multiple transit programs. Included in the budget is $398 million to help fund freeway improvements and nearly $64 million for transit, including $35 million for the ongoing construction of OC Streetcar, the county’s first modern electric streetcar in Santa Ana and Garden Grove.

Additionally, approximately $141 million will go toward improving streets and roads, including more than $44 million to provide more traffic capacity and $43 million for traffic-signal synchronization.

OC Bus service is budgeted for up to 1.45 million service hours, which is an increase of approximately 250,000 service hours compared to last year. That level would bring service to about 90 percent of what it was before the pandemic. Overall, 47% percent of the budget goes to fund transit, including bus, rail and Measure M transit programs.

Actual OC Bus service levels will be added back as demand increases, always guided by what’s best for the health and safety of the public and employees.

The 2021-22 budget is a result of OCTA’s mission to deliver innovative, long-term sustainable transportation solutions for the residents of Orange County.

Independent committee in charge of overseeing half-cent transportation sales tax spending determines that OCTA is on track

ORANGE – An independent committee has determined for the 30th consecutive year that the Orange County Transportation Authority is successfully delivering on its promises made to voters through Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements

The Taxpayer Oversight Committee held its annual Measure M, also known as OC Go, hearing via teleconference on Tuesday, June 8, and unanimously found that OCTA is once again proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were first approved by voters in 1990 and renewed by 70 percent of voters in 2006.

The independent, 11-member committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, which sets a course for delivering transit, street and freeway improvements, while protecting the environment, through 2041. The committee approves all changes to the Measure M plan and holds annual public hearings on the expenditure of funds generated by the half-cent sales tax entrusted to OCTA.

“I’m extremely proud the committee has determined OCTA continues delivering on our promises, all of which result in tangible transportation benefits for every person in Orange County,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Independent validation of OCTA’s work consistently for 30 straight years is a remarkable accomplishment and I appreciate all the committee members’ contributions, which have helped ensure OCTA remains a transparent, innovative and responsive public agency.”

The current Measure M (2011 – 2041) is committed to delivering a balanced and sustainable transportation system in Orange County. The plan supports two environmental programs and allocates 43 percent of funding to freeways, 32 percent to streets and 25 percent to transit.

The original Measure M (1990 – 2010) made possible more than $4 billion of transportation improvements, including improvements to freeways, widened streets, synchronized signals and intersections. It also provided the means for Orange County’s Metrolink commuter-rail service, which continues to be funded by OC Go today.

For more information on the Taxpayers Oversight Committee, please visit octa.net/TOC.

The I-405 Improvement Project is now more than halfway complete

ORANGE – The Magnolia Street bridge over I-405 opened on Saturday, May 22, marking another major milestone for the I-405 Improvement Project, which is now more than halfway finished.

The Magnolia Street bridge is the fifth to open among 18 being built, widened or replaced as part of the project, but it’s the first to open that was reconstructed one half at a time. This allowed Magnolia Street, which straddles Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Westminster, to remain open to traffic during construction, minimizing impacts to the community.

“The new bridge not only benefits the residents and businesses near Magnolia Street, it’s also an important step toward meeting the project’s overall goal of improving the commutes of the thousands of drivers who travel on the 405 each day,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “I appreciate everyone’s continued patience during construction and hope that everyone who drives the 405 takes some time to support our local businesses along Magnolia Street.”

The first half of the Magnolia Street bridge was demolished in late 2018 and opened to traffic in spring 2020, after which work began on the second half. The new bridge is wider than the old one, with six traffic lanes instead of four, and sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the street.

More information about the bridge is part of a video commemorating its opening, available at https://youtu.be/Afr9aAOWPtk.

Four other bridges on the project have also been completed. Slater Avenue in Fountain Valley was the first bridge to open in 2019. Last year, Bushard Street in Fountain Valley and McFadden Avenue, which links Huntington Beach and Westminster, were completed. And last month, Talbert Avenue in Fountain Valley opened.

In addition to the bridge construction, substantial work to improve on-and off-ramps, widen the freeway and replace soundwalls has been completed. As a result, overall construction on the project that began in early 2018 is approximately 55 percent complete.

Next month, the Warner Avenue bridge in Fountain Valley is expected to fully close to traffic for reconstruction. Demolition of the overcrossing will require overnight closures of I-405 near the bridge.

For the latest construction schedule, as well as closure and detour information, visit the project’s interactive map at octa.net/405map.

The I-405 Improvement Project will add one regular lane in each direction between Euclid Street and I-605, and a second lane in each direction in the center of the freeway from SR-73 to I-605 that will combine with the existing carpool lanes to form the 405 Express Lanes.

This 16-mile segment of I-405 is one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation, and drivers routinely face severe congestion in both the regular lanes and carpool lanes. The project is critical to accommodate expected employment, population and housing growth throughout the region.

The speed limit on I-405 has been reduced to 55 mph between SR-73 and I-605 for the safety of drivers and construction crews for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2023. Drivers are advised to slow down and proceed with caution whenever signs of highway work are present, and drivers whose vehicles become disabled should pull off at the nearest exit, if possible.

For more information about the I-405 Improvement Project, visit octa.net/405improvement.

Projects include widening Ortega Highway, extending Los Patrones, and adding HOV lanes near county border with San Diego County

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority continues to move forward on both a long-term study and providing near-term projects to address south Orange County’s transportation needs as the area continues to grow and travel patterns evolve.

This week, the OCTA Board of Directors received an update on progress of three projects that are the cornerstones of an agreement between OCTA, Caltrans and TCA to improve mobility in south Orange County.

Those projects include:

• Widening Ortega Highway along a 1.1-mile pinch point
• Extending the Interstate 5 carpool lanes from Avenida Pico to the border with San Diego County, and
• Extending Los Patrones Parkway as a non-tolled county street three miles to Avenida La Pata.

“We are proud to lead the way on planning and funding projects that deliver tangible benefits to the community while keeping pace with housing and employment growth,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “We will continue to work with residents and stakeholders on transportation solutions to improve the lives of all who live, work and visit south Orange County.”

Ortega Highway

In addition to hearing about the progress of each of the projects, the OCTA board approved an agreement with San Juan Capistrano to provide $5.25 million in Measure M funding for the preparation of plans, specifications and estimates to widen the portion of Ortega Highway.

That stretch of Ortega Highway is currently one lane in each direction between Calle Entradero and Reata Road, and a notorious choke point for traffic near the eastern end of San Juan Capistrano. The project calls for it to be widened from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction.

OCTA is working on a funding agreement for the Ortega Highway project, which could open by 2028, with funding contributions from the County of Orange, San Juan Capistrano, the State and OCTA.

A funding agreement is expected to come back to the board in June. Final design, being led by Caltrans, is expected to be completed by late 2021.

Los Patrones Parkway

A conceptual alignment of the non-tolled extension to Los Patrones Parkway has been added to the county’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways and general plans of the city and county.

Also this week, as part of the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program, the OCTA board awarded more than $1.8 million to help build the extension.

The preliminary engineering phase is expected to begin as early as this fall.

HOV Lanes from Pico to County Line

OCTA recently awarded a contract to prepare environmental documents for extending the carpool lanes in each direction between Avenida Pico and the border with San Diego County.

This improvement would build on the addition of six miles of carpool lane in each direction of I-5 that was added through the cities of San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente that opened in 2018.

The environmental phase is expected to be completed by early 2024. OCTA is planning extensive public outreach, including with residents of San Clemente and other stakeholders throughout the process.

South County Study

In addition to the three planned projects, OCTA continues work on longer-term solutions through the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study, which now is in the second of three phases.

OCTA staff is compiling and analyzing the results of input received so far and is planning a roundtable discussion with elected leaders from the area and other stakeholders later this year. Those efforts will help further refine what options are the locally preferred alternatives for further enhancing transportation options in the region.

For more information on that study, visit www.octa.net/southocstudy. Click on the “stay connected” tab to sign up for updates.

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 $28 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 nine projects that will improve and widen busy streets and intersections, totaling $20.2 million.

Three additional projects will receive funding to synchronize traffic signals to ensure drivers hit the most green lights during peak traffic hours. That funding totals $8.5 million. The funds are available through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as OC Go.

“I’m proud that OCTA, even in the challenging times of a pandemic, is continuing to enhance Orange County’s transportation network and providing the funding necessary to keep Orange County moving,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Providing the funds for these many projects is another great example of how OCTA partners with cities to put local sales tax dollars to good use, and to keep our promises to voters.”

Since Measure M was renewed by voters in 2006, more than $456 million in competitive funding has been awarded to make Orange County streets and roads better. That amount includes external funding leveraged by OC Go funds. And that’s in addition to another $494 million in formula funding.

The most recent call for projects was issued by OCTA in August 2020 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.

Those receiving funds for projects include: Santa Ana (three projects), Yorba Linda (two projects), Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, and the County of Orange.

Cities receiving funds for traffic signal synchronization include: Irvine, Lake Forest and Santa Ana.

Regional capacity projects include:

• Extending Los Patrones Parkway in the County of Orange.
• Improving Fairview Street between 9th Street and 16th Street in Santa Ana
• Improving Warner Avenue between Oak Street and Grand Avenue in Santa Ana
• Improving Bristol Street at Memory Lane in Santa Ana
• Widening Cannon Street from Santiago Canyon Road to Serrano Avenue in Orange
• Improving the Euclid Street and Westminster Avenue Intersection in Garden Grove
• Improving the intersection of Jeffrey Road at Barranca Parkway in Irvine
• Widening Yorba Linda Boulevard between Imperial Highway and Lakeview Avenue in Yorba Linda
• Widening Lakeview Avenue between Bastanchury Road to Oriente Drive in Yorba Linda

Signal synchronization projects include:

• Portola Parkway/Santa Margarita Parkway in Lake Forest
• Alton Parkway in Irvine
• First Street/Bolsa Avenue in Santa Ana.

The complete list of projects that received funding is attached.

An updated Next 10 Delivery Plan outlines OC Go implementation through 2030

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors has adopted the updated Next 10 Delivery Plan, which sets a course for delivering transit, street and freeway improvements, while protecting the environment, through 2030.

Those improvements are funded by OC Go, funds made possible by the Measure M half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, overwhelmingly renewed by voters in 2006.

“We are proud the Next 10 Plan sets a clear path to continue delivering on the Measure M promises to voters,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, sound planning and financial management have translated directly to real benefits for Orange County’s entire transportation system. Whether you take the bus, train, drive, bike or walk, we continue working to make your trip a better one.”

The updated Next 10 Plan incorporates the latest 30-year Measure M sales tax revenue forecast of $11.6 billion through 2041. This represents a $1.8 billion decrease from the fall 2019 forecast and is due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the public health crisis, OCTA remains committed to fulfilling the promises made through Measure M.

The Next 10 Plan will continue to advance Measure M implementation, including delivery of 14 freeway project segments, annual endowment deposits for the environmental mitigation program, return of 18 percent of funds to cities and the county for local transportation needs, and annual competitive grants to address traffic bottlenecks on streets and to synchronize traffic signals.

Additional Next 10 Plan objectives include investments in transit, including completing construction and starting service of the OC Streetcar, sustaining Metrolink service and improving stations, and enhancing mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities.

With Orange County’s population projected to increase dramatically by 2030, improvements to transit are necessary to ensure a balanced and sustainable transportation system.

Thanks to strategic investments and strong fiscal responsibility throughout the years, OCTA remains in a good financial position to uphold voter commitments and deliver transportation benefits to keep Orange County moving.

To ensure projects and programs are delivered, OCTA is carefully managing the scope and cost of projects, taking advantage of competitive construction market conditions, and pursuing external grants to supplement Measure M funds wherever possible.

For more information on the Next 10 Plan, visit www.octa.net/next10.

Whether moving toward a zero-emission bus fleet, providing vanpools to reduce vehicle miles traveled, or directly protecting open spaces, OC’s transportation agency celebrates Earth Day every day.

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has launched a new webpage that outlines the agency’s ongoing commitment to a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation network.

While the launch coincides with Earth Day on April 22, OCTA’s commitment to a culture of sustainability and safeguarding Orange County’s air, land and water is a full-time effort that prioritizes protecting the environment for generations to come.

“From our zero-emission bus program to funding local projects that protect water quality, habitat and wildlife, OCTA always focuses on two important goals,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “We work to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently, and also protect and preserve the environment that makes this such a special place to live.”

The new site, www.octa.net/green, outlines how OCTA focuses on multiple aspects of the environment as the agency works to enhance public transportation, improve freeways and streets, and collaborate with regional and state partners to create a greener, more sustainable future.

Some of those efforts include:

• Preserving and conserving land and water
  • OCTA has purchased 1,300 acres of open space from willing sellers in Orange County’s foothills and along the coast to permanently preserve important plant and animal species. The land preservation has helped offset the effects of widening and improving freeways.
  • More than $10 million has been allocated to restore some 350 acres of open-space land to its natural state, helping native plant and animal species thrive.
  • Competitive grant funding to cities has helped capture transportation-related pollution before it reaches waterways. More than 33 million gallons of trash have been captured, helping keep local waterways and the ocean cleaner and safer for wildlife and people.
• Green Bus Transit
  • The OC Bus fleet runs on clean, renewable energy now and is headed toward a 100 percent zero-emission future to bring even cleaner air to Orange County.
  • OCTA is conducting a zero-emission bus pilot program, testing 10 fuel-cell electric and 10 plug-in electric buses.
  • In 2020, OCTA debuted the largest hydrogen fueling station for transit in the nation.
  • That same year, 40 transit support vehicles were replaced with zero-emission electric vehicles.
• Clean Travel Modes
  • The OC Flex microtransit option is a pilot program that debuted in 2018 to help remove cars from the road and reduce air pollution.
  • OCTA has awarded more than $140 million for active transportation programs that encourage walking, bicycling and other healthy travel options that lead to even cleaner air.
  • In Orange County, OCTA supports Metrolink commuter rail, which reduces vehicle miles traveled by more than 339 million miles systemwide.
• Cleaner Journeys on Freeways & Sustainable Streets
  • OCTA has led the synchronization of more than 3,000 traffic signals, ensuring that drivers along those streets hit more green lights and spend less time idling in traffic, resulting in fewer emissions and greenhouse gases.
  • Cleaner air has also been made possible through a strong vanpool program that encourages employees to share the ride.
  • OCTA, which oversees the 91 Express Lanes in Orange County, pioneered congestion management pricing, leading to more efficient travel and less congestion.
  • OCTA helped establish one of the most extensive HOV-lane connector networks in the state with carpool lanes on nearly all of the non-tolled freeways in Orange County.

OCTA also works with partners to study the effects of climate change and with members of the community to ensure the agency continues to plan for the future.

“When Orange County voters overwhelming renewed our local sales tax measure 15 years ago, one thing we clearly heard was that in addition to improving transportation, we needed to be responsible stewards of our environment,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “I’m proud to say that we continue to fulfill that promise for a cleaner, healthier future.”

Visitors to the website are encouraged to explore OCTA’s environmental efforts at their own pace and click on additional links to discover more information about each of the programs.

Community leader Tam Nguyen, to serve as Public Member, will join Supervisor Katrina Foley on board to guide transportation policy, projects, programs for Orange County.

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors welcomed one new member this week, and selected a second to serve as a new Public Member on the 18-person board. Both will help guide transportation policy and programs for a balanced and sustainable transportation future.

Tam Nguyen, a business and community leader from Fountain Valley, was selected to serve as one of two public members on the board. He will join newly elected Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who was sworn in Monday, April 12. Nguyen will be sworn in and his first board meeting is April 26.

The OCTA board is composed of all five Orange County supervisors, 10 elected city council members representing all regions of the county, and two members of the public, as well as a non-voting member representing Caltrans.

The new board members will help lead transportation policy, programs and projects for Orange County’s 3.2 million residents.

Nguyen fills the seat left vacant by longtime board member and transit advocate Greg Winterbottom, who passed away unexpectedly last year.

Nguyen was selected from among 34 applicants and three finalists. He has a master’s degree in business administration and a medical degree, and he is president of Advance Beauty College, which has campuses in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills.

He left Vietnam as a child with his family and is active in the Vietnamese-American community, as well as advocating for other underrepresented communities.

“As one of two public members on the board of directors, I will always respect the gravity of the public’s will and trust with every board and committee meeting,” Nguyen wrote in his application for the board seat. “I'll be methodical and detail-oriented. But coupled with my grassroots and community-minded orientation, I’ll also be well positioned to help bridge the gap between technical nuances and public understanding and support.”

Public Members serve a four-year term and are eligible to seek re-selection for additional terms.

Foley was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in March, which also secured her a seat on the OCTA board.

“I’m honored by this opportunity to serve on the OCTA board. I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of Orange County, as both a resident and public leader, towards helping enhance and improve the way our residents travel. I’m anxious to get to work on climate action and more active transportation projects countywide,” said Foley, also the county’s Second District Supervisor.

Foley served on the Costa Mesa City Council for 12 years and was that city’s first directly elected mayor in 2018. Foley is an attorney, businesswoman and a married mother of two sons. She previously served on the Newport Mesa Unified School District board from 2010 to 2014.

“I want to welcome Supervisor Katrina Foley to the OCTA Board of Directors and congratulate Tam Nguyen for being selected to serve as a Public Member,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “I welcome their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for serving the community and look forward to working with them to improve transportation for all of Orange County.”

Idea of integrated transportation hubs would take more cars off streets, bringing together multiple public transit options, improving accessibility and improving air quality

ORANGE – Imagine a place near where you live, work or play to conveniently access walking or biking trails, rent a scooter, take public transportation or access a shared ride without having to get behind the wheel of a car to reach your destination.

That’s the idea behind a mobility hub. And the Orange County Transportation Authority board this month took the first step toward creating these integrated transportation hubs in various parts of the county to help residents, workers and visitors access a range of seamless transportation options to keep moving safely and efficiently.

“OCTA’s mission is to provide a variety of travel options that add up to a balanced and sustainable transportation system,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Future mobility hubs will help make those options more accessible and convenient for the people who live and work in our county. In the process, I hope these hubs will help us to provide critical connections, reduce the cost of transportation and curb pollution.”

At its March 8 meeting, the board approved the selection of global consultant Steer Davies & Gleave, which has offices in Los Angeles and international experience developing transportation solutions, to develop a strategy for determining where mobility hubs should be located, what they should look like and what features they should include.

Users would be able to access more options for getting where they need to be while navigating a more seamless process of accessing various transportation options. Mobility hubs, flexible in their size and design, tend to be situated within activity centers with high concentrations of jobs, housing and/or recreation.

The objectives of creating mobility hubs include:

• Increasing transit ridership on OC Bus, OC Flex, OC Streetcar, Metrolink, rideshare and other public options
• Providing convenient alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips and reducing car dependency
• Increasing the amount of shared rides
• Reducing air pollution and encouraging active transportation
• And providing equitable transportation solutions that meet the needs of all communities.

The Orange County Mobility Hubs Strategy is in the first stage, and part of the study will be outlining next steps once the concept is further refined. Those concepts will require more detailed planning, engineering and coordination between partners to move forward.

Results of the study, which will go back to the board for further consideration and direction, are expected in mid-2022.

Freeway improvements on 1-mile stretch between Orangewood and Katella avenues build on previous widening through important stretch of SR-57

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is moving forward on a project to improve northbound State Route 57 in a critical part of the central Orange County freeway network.

The OCTA board earlier this week approved a plan to enter into a cooperative agreement with Caltrans and to release of request for proposals to find a qualified consultant to prepare plans, estimates and specifications.

The SR-57 Northbound Improvement project will extend a fifth regular freeway lane along a 1-mile stretch of the northbound freeway between Orangewood and Katella avenues, at the border of Anaheim and Orange.

“This important Measure M project builds upon investments OCTA has already made to enhance the 57 freeway,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Once it is complete, commuters and truck traffic will enjoy more efficient and consistent trips through central Orange County.”

In recent years, OCTA worked with Caltrans on additional improvements through the area, including widening the 57 freeway and improving on- and off-ramps between Anaheim and Brea.

The 57 freeway serves as a vital north/south link in the central part of the county for commuters and commercial truck traffic.

The ramps in that area are used by drivers to reach important entertainment destinations, including Angel Stadium, Honda Center and Disneyland Resorts, as well as the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC).

One of the unique engineering challenges of the project is widening the ramp above the existing rail tracks used by Metrolink and Pacific Surfliner trains. Plans call for making the improvements while not affecting rail traffic.

OCTA and Caltrans worked with the cities of Anaheim and Orange to complete the environmental review process in 2019.

The project, estimated to cost approximately $50 million, is scheduled to break ground in 2025 and be completed in 2027.

For more information, visit www.octa.net/57fwy.

The first phase of a study to address the long-term needs of South Orange County is complete and was reviewed by the OCTA Board; work on the study, with ongoing public input, will continue through 2021

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week reviewed the results of the first phase of an ongoing study to address south Orange County’s transportation needs as the area continues to grow with new residents and jobs and as travel patterns and needs evolve.

The study, called the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study, is looking at a wide range of transportation needs and solutions over the next 25 years, including improvements to streets, bus and other transit options, highways and bikeways.

The area covered by the study encompasses about 40 percent of Orange County, generally south of State Route 55 to the San Diego County line, and from the coast to the foothills.

“Fundamental to our role at OCTA is our work with the public to understand transportation needs throughout the county,” said Chairman Andrew Do, also Orange County’s First District Supervisor. “With its focus on population and job growth patterns unique to South County, this study will give us valuable insights to help shape a future in which residents and businesses continue to thrive.”

During the first phase of the study conducted in fall 2020, the OCTA team engaged with residents and stakeholders and completed a survey in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Mandarin.

Among the survey findings, the respondents said that they would like to see:

• Reduction in traffic congestion
• Increased frequency and accessibility of multimodal transportation, and
• Increased safety and efficiency for all modes of travel.

The survey also indicated that, in addition to improving and maintaining freeways and streets, those who responded recognize the need to address transportation challenges and want to see an increase in alternative transportation frequency and accessibility.

OCTA, which is Orange County’s transportation planning agency, is responsible for providing a balanced and sustainable transportation system for the entire county. The focus on south Orange County is necessary because over the next 25 years, projections show population growing by 170,000 residents and an additional 130,000 jobs are expected.

At the same time, travel patterns and transportation needs have continued to evolve since OCTA’s last major transportation study of the area in 2008. The projects from that study have resulted in more than a $1.5 billion investment in the area, including OCTA’s I-5 carpool lane project between San Juan Creek Road and Avenida Pico, and OCTA’s I-5 widening between SR-73 and El Toro Road now under construction.

Since the 2008 study, other significant changes have occurred, including a near-term strategy to improve traffic agreed to by OCTA, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), and Caltrans. That strategy includes:

• Extending the I-5 carpool lanes from Avenida Pico to the border of San Diego County
• Widening Ortega Highway, and
• Extending Los Patrones Parkway as a non-tolled county street.

Other changes have included introduction of mobile transportation apps and on-demand services such as Uber and Lyft, as well as the introduction of community transit options like shuttles and trolleys.

The South County study continues into the second of three phases, scheduled through the end of 2021. Residents, business owners and other key stakeholders will be asked to participate throughout in order to develop community consensus on transportation solutions that should move forward for further development.

For more information, visit: www.octa.net/southocstudy. Click on the “stay connected” tab to sign up for updates.

The first half of the Westminster Boulevard bridge opened on Jan. 28, first half of Fairview Road scheduled to open Feb. 12

ORANGE – The I-405 Improvement Project is reaching the first of many milestones scheduled to be met in 2021, with the opening of the first halves of the Westminster Boulevard and Fairview Road bridges.

The first half of the new Westminster Boulevard bridge in Westminster opened to traffic on Thursday, Jan. 28, and the first half of the Fairview Road bridge in Costa Mesa is expected to open on Friday, Feb. 12. The two bridges are among 18 to be built, widened or replaced as part of the project, which aims to speed up travel times on I-405 between Costa Mesa and the Los Angeles County line.

Both Westminster Boulevard and Fairview Road are being demolished and reconstructed in two stages, one half at a time, allowing them to remain open to traffic in both directions during construction.

Demolition of the second half of the bridges will require overnight closures of I-405. The freeway near Westminster Boulevard is scheduled to close overnight on Saturday, Feb. 6. Closures near Fairview Road are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, and again on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Construction of the I-405 Improvement Project will continue in full swing throughout 2021. Half of the 18 bridges being rebuilt as part of the project are anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.

The Talbert Avenue and Magnolia Street bridges, along with the first half of the Bolsa Avenue bridge, are expected to open in the first half of 2021. Later in the year, the Heil Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, along with the Edwards Street, Bolsa Chica Road and Goldenwest Street bridges are scheduled to open.

For the latest construction schedule, as well as closure and detour information, visit the project’s interactive map at octa.net/405map or download the free 405 Improvement mobile app in the App Store or in Google Play.

The I-405 Improvement Project, now more than halfway complete, will add one regular lane in each direction between Euclid Street and I-605, and a second lane in each direction in the center of the freeway from SR-73 to I-605 that will combine with the existing carpool lanes to form the 405 Express Lanes.

This 16-mile segment of I-405 is one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the nation, and drivers routinely face severe congestion in both the regular lanes and carpool lanes. The project is critical to accommodate expected employment, population and housing growth throughout the region.

The speed limit on I-405 has been reduced to 55 mph between SR-73 and I-605 for the safety of drivers and construction crews for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2023. Drivers are advised to slow down and proceed with caution whenever signs of highway work are present, and drivers whose vehicles become disabled should pull off at the nearest exit, if possible.

For more information about the I-405 Improvement Project, visit octa.net/405improvement.

Addition of passing siding track in Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano reduces rail commuter delays

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has completed work on a new passing siding railroad track in Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano that reduces delays and enhances safety for rail traffic traveling through the area.

The project added 1.8 miles of new passing siding railroad track between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station and Trabuco Creek in San Juan Capistrano, running adjacent to the I-5 freeway.

The $36.4 million project was led by OCTA, and built by Reyes Construction, in collaboration with Metrolink and the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel. Enhanced safety measures were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and, with strong collaboration between all partners on the project, it was finished approximately three months ahead of schedule.

“Even with the challenges of today's public health crisis, OCTA continues to push forward on important projects – including these rail improvements – to deliver more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure for the future of Orange County,” said OCTA Chair Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Fewer delays and faster trains in south Orange County benefit our entire rail network.”

The passing siding track was constructed adjacent to the existing track, connecting to it at each end, which allows trains traveling in opposite directions to pass each other without stopping. Previously, trains often had to wait for rail traffic traveling in the opposite direction to pass before proceeding.

The new track will reduce delays and provide more reliable rail service for passengers traveling through the region.

Additional improvements as part of the project include:

• Relocating the existing side branch track, or spur track, south of the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station
• Improving the private crossing from Camino Capistrano to Saddleback Rancho Capistrano
• Raising approximately 600 feet of Camino Capistrano near the private rail crossing
• Paving a small area near Camino Capistrano to accommodate parking for train crews and maintenance personnel

For more information, visit www.octa.net/passingsiding.

Annual report shows Express Lanes continue to give drivers a reliable option to speed up commutes while helping all drivers along the corridor

ORANGE – The 91 Express Lanes continues to provide a reliable and convenient option to speed up travel times for drivers traveling through the 91 corridor, and it remains in a strong financial position despite the many challenges of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis.

Those findings are further detailed in the recent 91 Express Lanes Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2019-20 compiled by the Orange County Transportation Authority, which has owned and operated 10 miles of the facility between State Route 55 in Anaheim and the border with Riverside County since 2003.

In 2017, eight additional miles were added to Interstate 15 in Corona, making the 91 Express Lanes a total of 18 miles of seamless managed lanes.

“We have always taken a conservative approach to managing the finances of the 91 Express Lanes, and that has helped us weather the many challenges brought about by COVID-19 and the impacts on usage,” said OCTA Chair Andrew Do, also Orange County’s First District Supervisor. “That planning means that the Express Lanes continues to meet financial obligations as we continue to advance transportation improvements for everyone who uses the 91 corridor.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, use of the 91 Express Lanes was on track to maintain the impressive growth OCTA has seen during the 17 years it has operated the facility. In February 2020, total trips were up compared to the same period a year earlier by 3.3 percent and gross potential revenue had risen 5.6 percent.

But since March 2020, when California issued stay-at-home orders related to the pandemic, the 91 Express Lanes experienced a 14.6 percent reduction in traffic and a 10.3 percent fall in gross potential revenue.

Even with the lower usage, the 91 Express Lanes still maintains strong ratings from all three bond rating agencies. The ratings reflect consistent revenues and long-term prospects for continued traffic growth and include the following: A+ from Fitch Ratings, AA- from Standard & Poor’s, and A1 from Moody’s Investor Service.

Technological advances also continued on the 91 Express Lanes, with installation completed during the past year on a new electronic toll and traffic management system. The technology streamlines the tolling process, allowing for smaller sticker transponders. Because the new transponders are less expensive to produce, simplified account plans and savings are being passed along to customers.

Additionally, toll revenue collected beyond what it costs to pay for lanes continues to fund transportation improvements for everyone who travels through the 91 corridor – whether or not they choose to use the Express Lanes.

So far, nearly $46 million in toll revenue has been used to add additional lanes on SR-91 and make other improvements to the area, with additional funds in reserve for more projects to ease congestion as the area continues to grow.

In the past year, the OCTA board authorized the use of 91 Express Lanes excess revenues for two projects along the 91 corridor, including between SR-55 and SR-57 and a project in cooperation with Riverside County that will add a sixth general-purpose lane in each direction between SR-241 and the Riverside County line.

For more information about the 91 Express Lanes Annual Report, click here or visit www.91expresslanes.com.

Chairman Andrew Do and CEO Darrell E. Johnson unveil innovative, balanced plan to deliver on promises, keep Orange County moving

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board today presented the 2021 Board and CEO Strategic Initiatives and Action Plan, the document that prioritizes what will guide the agency as it continues to negotiate the challenges of the COVID-19 public health crisis while remaining fiscally conservative and working to provide a balanced, sustainable transportation system for Orange County.

Orange County First District Supervisor Andrew Do, who was elected as OCTA chairman earlier this month, unveiled the initiatives, along with OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson, who developed an action plan based on the Board’s priorities.

The Initiatives and Action Plan include:

• Reliable, Accessible, and Balanced Transportation Choices
  • Provide Balanced Public Transportation Options and Solutions
  • Deliver Improvements to Fulfill Measure M Promises
  • Engage with Diverse and Disadvantaged Communities
• Financial Stewardship, Sustainability and Resilience
  • Champion Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
  • Plan and Adapt to a Changing Environment
  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and effective Measure M2 administration
• Organizational Excellence and Collaboration
  • Enhance Workforce Diversity and Inclusive Work Culture
  • Adapt to a Changing Workplace, Promote Employee Development and Safety
  • Provide Quality Customer Service and Collaborate with Regional Partners

“After the disruptions we’ve seen this past year, high-quality transportation options are more important than ever,” said Chairman Do. “We also must ensure that our practices as they relate to customers, contractors, and employees are fair and equitable. The initiatives adopted by the Board today position OCTA to meet this moment – both the challenges and opportunities we will face this year – and help us fulfill our important mission of keeping Orange County moving. I’m eager to work with my colleagues to continue improving the quality of life for Orange County’s residents, workers and visitors.”

In the year ahead, OCTA will continue work on several important transportation projects and adopt a revised Measure M Next 10 Delivery Plan, to ensure fiscal sustainability and the continuation of critical programs and projects. That includes the $1.9 billion I-405 Improvement Project, between Costa Mesa and the border with Los Angeles County, and ongoing work on OC Streetcar, Orange County’s 4.1-mile modern electric streetcar that will run through Santa Ana into Garden Grove.

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic remains, OCTA will continue to provide essential transit services to those who rely upon it, keeping the health and safety of the public and employees as the guiding priority. Chairman Do said that OCTA will work to enhance efforts to reach diverse communities and small and minority-owned businesses to connect with OCTA, hear their voices and help them grow.

The initiatives will also enhance OCTA’s efforts to attract and maintain a strong workforce, while continuing to build relationships with external partners and stakeholders. Examples of that are extending the College Bus Pass program and collaborating with neighboring counties, including San Diego County on Interstate 5 improvements between Avenida Pico in San Clemente and the county border.

“Even with the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are moving forward with ambitious plans to evolve and improve transportation,” OCTA CEO Johnson said. “I am confident and excited that we are moving forward with a balanced and innovative plan that continues to prioritize the health of our communities.”

To learn more about OCTA programs and projects, visit www.octa.net.

Director Mark A. Murphy, also mayor of Orange, chosen as Vice Chair

ORANGE – Orange County First District Supervisor Andrew Do was unanimously elected today as the new Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, which is responsible for planning, funding, and delivering transportation-improvement projects and public transit for all of Orange County.

Chairman Do served as the OCTA board’s Vice Chairman for the last year. He replaces outgoing Chairman Steve Jones, the Garden Grove mayor, who remains on the board.

“It is an honor to be selected by my colleagues to lead OCTA’s Board of Directors this year,” said Chairman Do. “I look forward to working with them and the public to provide a balanced, sustainable, and innovative transportation system to keep Orange County moving. Considering the challenges of the past year, I recognize how essential public transit and improvement projects are to ensuring our communities are safe, healthy, and financially sound.”

He began serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2015, representing the residents of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City. That same year he also began serving on the OCTA Board. He has represented OCTA at the Metrolink Board of Directors since 2018.

Born in Vietnam, Chairman Do fled to the U.S. with his family after the Fall of Saigon and grew up in Garden Grove. After attending the University of California at Davis for his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and received his Juris Doctor. He taught for three years as an Adjunct Professor at Cal State University, Fullerton and served as a Judge Pro Tem at Orange County West Municipal Court.

After several years providing legal representation to poor and indigent defendants, Chairman Do worked as an Orange County Deputy District Attorney. He has also given back to his community by serving as a Garden Grove City Councilman, the President of the Asian Bar of California, and an elected member of the Orange County Bar Association’s Board of Directors.

Elected by the board to serve as Vice Chairman was Director Mark A. Murphy, also the mayor of Orange. Murphy has served on OCTA since 2017. Murphy has served as chair of OCTA’s Regional Planning and Highways Committee, as a member of the Executive Committee and SR-91 Advisory Committee.

Sworn in today as new members to the OCTA Board were Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and Mission Viejo Mayor Brian Goodell.

Sarmiento serves as president of the Orange County Water District Board of Directors and was sworn in as Santa Ana mayor in December 2020.

Goodell is a two-time Olympic swimming champion and was elected to Mission Viejo City Council in 2016 and won re-election in 2020.

The OCTA board is comprised of 18 members, including the five county supervisors, two members from city councils in each of the five supervisorial districts, two public members and the Caltrans District Director serves in a non-voting ex-officio capacity.

Brief online survey to help keep services running in event of flood, wildfire or earthquake

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is continuing its efforts to ensure county residents, workers and visitors can keep moving even in the event of a natural disaster and is asking for public input to help in this ongoing effort.

OCTA’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed to support existing emergency and crisis management plans. Those who use OCTA services – including OC Bus, Metrolink commuter rail, OC Flex and OC ACCESS paratransit service – are asked to help update the plan by completing a brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HR85JM9.

The 13-question online survey is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and will be online through Friday, Jan. 8.

The valuable public input received will help OCTA better plan for how to keep services running in the event of natural disasters such as flooding, an earthquake or wildfire.

Completing the plan will also help OCTA qualify for federal funding opportunities that will allow for enhanced measures to prepare for such natural disasters.

For more information on OCTA programs and services, visit www.octa.net.

A major project milestone, track installation is underway starting at Bristol Street and Santa Ana Boulevard

ORANGE – Construction of the OC Streetcar has reached a major milestone as construction crews have set the first rail into place that will eventually carry the streetcar vehicles through the streets of Santa Ana and Garden Grove.

The rail was set in place this month at the intersection of Santa Ana Boulevard and Bristol Street, and crews are continuing working to place rail westbound toward Raitt Street.

“This is an important and very exciting moment for this project as the public can begin to see the actual rail being set into the street for Orange County’s first modern-electric streetcar,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “I hope the community shares my excitement to see this project coming to fruition to provide another important public transit option.”

The OC Streetcar will run on just over 4 miles of track in each direction through Santa Ana and Garden Grove. It is scheduled to begin testing and operations in 2022.

Updates on the OC Streetcar construction and a video celebrating the streetcar rail being set into the street will be part of a Virtual Community Open House about the project scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17.

To participate in the meeting at that time via Zoom – or to see the recorded version after – visit www.ocstreetcar.com.

The OC Streetcar route will serve Santa Ana’s thriving downtown and dense employment areas that include county and local government offices and courthouses in the Civic Center.

The streetcar will carry passengers between the busy Santa Ana transit center and a transit stop at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove, running along Santa Ana Boulevard, Fourth Street and the Pacific Electric right-of-way and connecting with OCTA’s busiest bus routes.

Six vehicles – with two spares – will operate daily, making stops at 10 locations in each direction every 10 to 15 minutes. Manufacturing of the Siemens S700 streetcar vehicles began in late 2019 and are being built in northern California.

For more information on the project, visit www.ocstreetcar.com.

Attached: Artist rendering of the OC Streetcar.

Board reviews 2020 Accomplishments that included continuing to make freeway and transit improvements and providing regional leadership among obstacles of COVID-19

ORANGE – Throughout 2020, the Orange County Transportation Authority adapted and pushed through the many unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to continue keeping its promises to deliver a balanced and sustainable transportation network for Orange County.

A summary of the many accomplishments for OCTA in 2020 was presented today to the OCTA Board of Directors, comprised of 15 elected and two appointed members from across the county, and a Caltrans representative.

The Board led the way in directing policy that made necessary adjustments to protect the health and safety of the public and OCTA employees, while continuing to keep Orange County moving.

“As an organization we worked diligently to proactively address the unprecedented challenges of this public health crisis,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “I’m proud of OCTA staff and our Board of Directors for accomplishing so much toward providing essential transportation improvements and services for Orange County.”

Milestones for the year were guided by five overarching Board Initiatives:

• Comprehensive Mobility Solutions
• Regional Leadership and Public Transparency
• Resiliency, Sustainability and Innovation
• Fiscal Accountability
• Organizational Excellence

Accomplishments included advancing projects promised to voters through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Among them are important freeway improvements on I-405, continuing to make improvements on I-5 in South County, and completing the I-5 Central County Improvements Project – four months ahead of schedule.

Other notable accomplishments included continuing to build the OC Streetcar in Santa Ana and Garden Grove, funding street improvements and enhancing the OC Bus system.

OCTA also took strong steps forward with zero-emission bus efforts, debuting the largest transit-oriented hydrogen fueling station in the nation and approving a separate pilot program for 10 plug-in electric buses.

OCTA demonstrated resiliency and regional leadership in dealing with the effects of COVID-19, to help protect employees and the public.

That agency-wide effort included providing consistent messaging in multiple languages to keep the public informed about safety measures on the OC Bus system, including temporary rear-door bus boarding, limiting the number of bus passengers for social distancing, implementing face covering requirements, and installing hand sanitizer and face-covering dispensers on all OC Buses.

The entire bus fleet was equipped with driver shields, which allowed a gradual and safe return to front-door boarding.

OCTA capitalized on years of planning to quickly transition to remote work and virtual meetings when the pandemic hit. All Board and Committee meetings were transitioned to a virtual format starting in March.

More than 500 administration employees smoothly transitioned to working remotely due in large part to extensive crisis planning, a remote-work pilot program, and a years-long effort toward cloud computing.

“We are proud of the leadership OCTA showed and all of the accomplishments throughout 2020,” OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson said. “All of those efforts put us in a strong position to continue providing essential transit services and building an even stronger transportation network for Orange County in 2021 and into the future.”

For a more complete summary of OCTA’s 2020 Accomplishments, please visit: http://www.octa.net/2020Accomplishments.

Funds from California Transportation Commission will help move forward project to improve 55 freeway between I-5 and I-405 in central Orange County

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded $140 million in competitive state transportation funding, a major boost to help build the State Route 55 Improvement Project between I-5 and I-405 in central Orange County.

The funding comes from the California Transportation Commission (CTC), which awarded $115 million from the SB1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program and $25 million from the SBI Local Partnership Competitive Program.

“We are very thankful to the CTC and Caltrans for recognizing the importance of the SR-55 improvement project for Orange County and for the support of so many local elected officials and partners to help OCTA move forward with these vital improvements,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove.

The SR-55 Improvement Project is a critical part of fulfilling the promise of Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax – overwhelming renewed by voters in 2006 – to make improvements to freeways, streets and public transit.

SR-55 is a vital north-to-south freeway that links central Orange County to the coastal region. More than 260,000 vehicles use that stretch of SR-55 every day, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 275,000 vehicles by 2040.

The freeway is also an important route for commercial traffic with an estimated 17,000 daily truck trips. The improvements are expected to save up to 1,500 hours in daily truck travel time, helping improve air quality, as well.

The SR-55 project will add a regular lane and a carpool lane in each direction between I-5 near Santa Ana and Tustin and I-405 near Irvine and Costa Mesa. It will also add auxiliary lanes to help traffic smoothly enter and exit the freeway. The improvements will increase access to job centers, healthcare and educational facilities, South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport, among other important destinations for the region.

The project is estimated to cost $474 million with additional funds coming from Measure M, also known as OC Go, and other state and federal funding. It has completed the design phase and construction is expected to begin in 2022. Improvements are estimated to be finished in 2026.

For more information, visit: www.octa.net/sr55.

Pilot program of plug-in battery-electric buses, in addition to testing of hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, part of OCTA’s goal to produce no bus emissions by 2040.

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved purchasing 10 plug-in battery-electric buses for a pilot program to test how the buses perform on Orange County streets.

The contract with New Flyer of America, Inc. is for $10.4 million, with substantial grant funding helping pay for the purchase of the 10 buses.

The move is part of OCTA’s plan to convert the OC Bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040.

Earlier this year, OCTA also began operating 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, and this new pilot will help determine which technology – or mix of technologies – will work best for Orange County moving forward.

It’s another important step toward zero-emission transportation technology for a balanced and sustainable future – one that will help bring even cleaner air quality to Orange County.

“This is a great opportunity for us to gather important data about the latest zero-emission technologies to ensure we continue providing the highest level of safe, reliable transit to Orange County riders,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “At the same time, we are helping provide an even cleaner environment.”

OCTA has already gradually transitioned its fleet over the years, from diesel-burning buses to clean-burning renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) buses with near-zero-emission engines. The state has set a requirement to transition to complete zero-emission transit within the next 20 years.

In June, OCTA approved a zero-emission bus (ZEB) rollout plan, which was submitted to the California Air Resources Board.

The plan is not a commitment to a specific type of technology. OCTA is testing both hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and plug-in battery-electric buses to determine which ZEBs best meet OCTA’s needs related to operations, maintenance and cost, among other factors.

The 10 plug-in battery-electric buses are each the standard 40-foot length with capacity of up to 76 riders, (OCTA is currently limiting bus occupancy because of COVID-19). The buses have an estimated range of 200 miles between charges, which will allow them to run for a full day and be charged nightly at OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base.

Five of the 10 test buses are scheduled to run on a new Bravo! route between Anaheim and South Coast Metro in Santa Ana. The other five will operate throughout Orange County.

Five of the buses are funded by grants through the California Transportation Commission and SB 1, and through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) administered by Caltrans.

The hydrogen fuel-cell buses, which also create no emissions, began operating in January, when OCTA debuted its hydrogen fueling station in Santa Ana. In all, it represented a $22.9 million investment. More than half of that funding – $12.5 million – came from California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

OCTA operates more than 500 buses in the regular OC Bus system across Orange County. For now, most of those buses run on CNG but OCTA is working toward the goal of producing zero emissions.

OCTA will begin phasing in additional zero-emission buses as part of future bus purchases beginning in 2023. At the same time, staff will continue to analyze emerging technologies and work with partners to secure funding for purchase, operations and maintenance of the buses.

The effort aligns with California’s Innovative Clean Transit Rule, a first-of-its kind regulation in the U.S. that sets a goal for public transit agencies to gradually transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040. The Innovative Clean Transit Rule is part of the state’s comprehensive program helping to achieve California’s air quality and climate goals.

The hydrogen fuel-cell buses continue to be tested on routes throughout Orange County. The plug-in battery-electric buses are expected to begin operation in Orange County in late 2021.

Funds will go to 12 cities for filters and catch basins that have helped capture 33 million gallons of trash

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week voted to invest nearly $3 million to improve water quality in Orange County from Fullerton to San Clemente.

The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the county for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation.

“Protecting the county’s natural resources, while at the same time improving our transportation network, is a key promise made to voters through Measure M, and this is another good example of fulfilling that promise by keeping our water clean,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the mayor of Garden Grove.

The OCTA board approved $2.8 million available for 12 projects focused on removing visible pollutants, such as litter and debris, from roads before they reach waterways and the ocean. These projects include purchasing or upgrading screens, filters and inserts for catch basins, as well as other devices designed to remove pollutants.

The cities that received funding include: Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, San Clemente and Yorba Linda.

The OCTA board has approved funding for 177 projects since the inception of this program in 2011, totaling just more than $25 million. It is estimated that more than 33 million gallons of trash has since been captured as a result of the installation of these devices.

For more information on the Measure M water quality program, visit octa.net/water.

Attachment: A complete list of projects approved by the OCTA board is attached.

Study with Caltrans to consider adding bus rapid transit service to Interstate 5 and State Route 55

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is studying the possibility of adding bus service to a section of Interstate 5 and State Route 55 through Orange County, and is welcoming public input.

The study is considering two potential freeway bus rapid transit (BRT) routes, one on approximately 30 miles of I-5, between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo transit station and the Fullerton Park and Ride, and the other on SR-55 between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach.

Freeway bus rapid transit is express bus service that travels on the freeway, using carpool lanes, express lanes or even shoulder lanes to more efficiently serve key destinations. Stations would be located along the freeway and would connect to those key destinations with local bus service and shuttles.

In the process, encouraging public transit would help take more people out of single-driver vehicles and help ease freeway traffic congestion.

Orange County residents, and those who use freeways to get to work and visit destinations along the I-5 and SR-55 freeways, are encouraged to take a brief online survey to help give valuable feedback on the BRT plans.

A public webinar for more information on the project is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Participants can take the survey, register for the webinar and find more information on the project, including a video overview of the study, at www.octa.net/FreewayBRT.

The survey can also be taken by calling (909) 494-2900 through Nov. 16.

The study builds on the 2018 OC Transit Vision, which established a plan for the next 20 years of transit in Orange County and identified the I-5 and SR-55 corridors as high priorities for transit. The study will identify potential operating lanes, station locations and needed parking, among other necessary infrastructure improvements.

The study is expected to be completed in early 2021.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United State and Canada recognizes OCTA for comprehensive report in ‘spirit of full disclosure’

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority was recently recognized by the leading association of government finance professionals for excellence and transparency in financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada this month awarded OCTA the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended in June 2019.

OCTA has received the high honor each year since it was founded in 1991.

The Certificate of Achievement is the association’s highest recognition for government accounting and financial reporting. It is judged by an impartial panel of experts from the association who review the report for its ability to clearly communicate the agency’s financial story and for a “spirit of full disclosure.”

“OCTA prides itself on being transparent with the taxpayers of Orange County and this award is another clear indication that we are achieving that goal,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “Through the tremendous work of our staff and Board, we will continue to fulfill our responsibility to wisely and efficiently use the funds entrusted to OCTA to improve our transportation system and, ultimately, our residents’ quality of life.”

OCTA has an annual budget of $1.4 billion, approved by a 17-member Board of Directors each year after a budget workshop, numerous updates in public committee meetings and the board’s annual public hearing.

An independent,11-member Taxpayer Oversight Committee also holds an annual compliance hearing to ensure that funds from Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, are being administered in accordance with the ordinances that were first approved by voters in 1990 and overwhelmingly renewed for 30 years in 2006. The Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined for 29 consecutive years that Measure M is being delivered to voters as promised.

The Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined for 29 consecutive years that Measure M is being delivered to voters as promised.

Amidst the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacts, OCTA continues to provide frequent financial updates to the Board of Directors for utmost transparency and accountability.

Local Measure M sales tax funds will help improve shelters, other amenities at 35 bus stops

ORANGE – The OCTA Board of Directors this week approved more than $1 million to make improvements to 35 of the county’s busiest bus stops in the city of Santa Ana, helping provide newer, more comfortable shelter for passengers waiting to ride OC Bus.

The funds are provided through Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation, also known as OC Go. The measure, renewed by voters in 2006, includes funding to help provide improved transit amenities at the county’s busiest bus stops.

This week’s award of funding for bus-stop improvements is part of OCTA’s ongoing investment in communities where there is the greatest demand for public transit. Santa Ana, which has some of the county’s most heavily used bus routes, applied for the competitive funds and will work with OCTA to implement the upgrades.

“A big part of our mission is provide our bus passengers with a safe and enjoyable experience that encourages them to ride public transit, and these local sales tax funds will help significantly enhance the experience for OC Bus riders,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove.

Funds will be used to make improvements at 35 of Santa Ana’s bus stops, including several popular routes along Bristol Street, 17th Street and Harbor Boulevard, among many other locations throughout the city.

The improvements include replacing existing shelters (from rain and sun), benches, trash receptacles, advertising cases and making necessary improvements to concrete at the stops.

While bus stops throughout the county are located on city property and maintained by individual cities, OCTA works in partnership with those cities to determine the best locations for stops and provides competitive funding for improvements.

To date, the OCTA board has approved more than $3.1 million for similar bus-stop improvements throughout Orange County.

The agency has shifted to virtual meetings and other technology to update residents living near its various construction projects

ORANGE – While millions of Californians heeded state orders to stay home to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), construction on public transportation projects continued, leaving the Orange County Transportation Authority to answer the question: What’s the best way to communicate construction updates to the thousands of residents living near its projects?

On the I-405 Improvement Project, the largest highway project under construction in the state, the COVID-19 pandemic forced OCTA to think creatively about how to best reach the diverse communities along the 16-mile stretch of project while ensuring the health and safety of employees and the public.

Traditional communication methods, including hosting information booths at community events, hosting in-person neighborhood meetings and canvassing fliers to residents’ homes, was no longer a viable option. But OCTA wanted to do more than relying on the project’s website, mobile app and social media presence to keep residents living in nine different cities throughout the project area informed.

Less than a week after the state issued its stay-at-home order in March, the I-405 Improvement Project hosted its first ever virtual neighborhood meeting to update residents living near major upcoming construction. The meeting was similar to the dozens that had been previously held, except instead of being at a community park, school or meeting room, residents were able to have their questions answered from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Since then, the project team has hosted nine additional virtual community meetings, directly communicating with nearly 450 people live. The meetings are all recorded and available online and have generated more than 2,000 views.

I-5 South Team Goes Virtual

The outreach team focused on improvements being made to I-5 between El Toro Road and SR-73 in South Orange County also converted its typical approach of chatting with residents over donuts in local neighborhood parks. Instead, they also quickly set up virtual meetings.

At first, they held a virtual meeting and discussed the entire 6-mile project, but quickly discovered it was a bit too much information for many residents who wanted detailed information about the freeway bridge near their house or whether there’d be a sound wall in their neighborhood.

So, they switched to “Webinar Wednesdays” that focused on smaller segments of the project.

And the I-5 South team looked to see how TV entertainment shows engaged viewers while going online. Using that example, rather than having just one presenter talk to the camera, they decided to have two presenters from the project team interacting.

One acts as the host for the meeting, welcoming the audience and explaining how it will work, then allows the other to present the information. The host asks follow-up questions and sometimes even jumps in to ask for clarification that the audience might want to know.

The I-5 South project team also focused on branding by always wearing button-up shirts that prominently featured the project logo when on camera. Otherwise, they limited branding, keeping it informal and presenting from their homes, with books, photos and artwork in the background.

The approach intended to send a message: Thank you for letting us come into your homes (virtually) for the presentation – from our homes to yours.

The team found that the team approach from home led to more engagement and more informal questions from viewers – as if they were still just chatting over donuts.

When completed in 2025, the I-5 South project will add a regular lane in each direction of the freeway, extend a second carpool lane, widen bridges and make other improvements to ease traffic congestion for approximately 360,000 drivers who use that part of the freeway daily.

Technology Helping Find the Right Audience

In addition to the virtual events, OCTA began using geofencing campaigns to target hundreds of thousands of residents and commuters that live and drive through specific areas of the I-405 Improvement Project.

This method of advertising allows OCTA to select a 1-mile radius near major construction work. If someone enters that zone with their smartphone, laptop or tablet, they will begin seeing construction alerts on their favorite apps, including ones like Waze or Pandora.

To date, the project team has completed six of these advertising campaigns, reaching nearly 700,000 people.

Moving forward, as restrictions continue to ease, OCTA will continue to build on the success of these virtual outreach efforts as a convenient way to keep the community up to date on its many projects and programs.

The $1.9 billion I-405 Improvement Project will add one regular lane in each direction between Euclid Street and I-605, and a second lane in each direction in the center of the freeway from SR-73 to I-605 that will combine with the existing carpool lanes to form the 405 Express Lanes.

For more information about the projects, visit octa.net/405improvement and octa.net/i5south.

2020 mid-year report shows continued delivery of essential capital project improvements and public transit services

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is pushing ahead through the many unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and continuing to keep its promises to deliver a balanced and sustainable transportation network for Orange County.

The OCTA Board of Directors this week received a mid-year report on the status of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Initiatives and Action Plan showing that the agency has met 41 of 92 milestones for 2020 through the first six months of the year.

The milestones achieved have included advancing projects promised to voters through Measure M, the Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Among them are important freeway improvements on the I-405, I-5 and SR-91, continuing to build the OC Streetcar, funding street improvements and enhancing the OC Bus system.

“While there’s no question that we, like public agencies everywhere, have faced enormous challenges with the ongoing public health crisis, I think this report is further proof of the tremendous effort of our agency to work through those obstacles and continue providing essential services for Orange County,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove.

The milestones, first approved in January, were adjusted slightly in May in response to the pandemic, resulting in the 92 milestones.

Each January, the OCTA board and CEO work together to prioritize goals for the year and develop and action plan to ensure progress toward those goals.

This year that includes:

Board Initiatives

• Comprehensive Mobility Solutions
• Regional Leadership and Public Transparency
• Resiliency, Sustainability and Innovation
• Fiscal Accountability
• Organizational Excellence

CEO Initiatives

• Enhance Transit Service Quality and Customer Experience
• Deliver OC Go – Next 10 Plan Commitments (Measure M)
• Collaborate with Local and Regional Partners
• Ensure Public Accountability and Transparency
• Advance Climate Resiliency and Sustainability
• Promote and Deploy Innovative Technology
• Champion Fiscal Responsibility
• Strengthen Safety and Security Measures
• Develop and Maximize Workforce Potential

The initiatives and milestones will be reviewed again by the board this fall. Information: www.octa.net.

Plans are in-line with state mandate, as OCTA continues to test hydrogen fuel-cell electric and plug-in battery-electric technologies in two pilot programs

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board has approved a draft plan outlining how the agency will convert the OC Bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040.

It is a milestone step toward zero-emission transportation technology for a balanced and sustainable future – one that will help bring even cleaner air quality to Orange County.

“This is a great opportunity for us to plan for a healthier future that will include both reliable transportation and no potentially harmful emissions into our environment,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “We are accomplishing two important goals at the same time.”

OCTA has already gradually transitioned its fleet over the years, from diesel-burning buses to clean-burning renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) buses with near-zero-emission engines. The state has set a requirement to transition to complete zero-emission transit within the next 20 years.

OCTA’s zero-emission bus rollout plan, approved by the board of directors on Monday, will now be submitted to the California Air Resources Board.

The plan is not a commitment to a specific type of technology at this point. OCTA is in the process of testing both hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and plug-in battery-electric buses to determine which technology best meets OCTA’s needs related to operations, maintenance and cost, among other things.

In April, the OCTA Board of Directors approved a request for quotes to purchase 10 plug-in battery-electric buses.

The pilot program for the battery-electric 40-foot buses comes following OCTA’s debut at the start of 2020 of 10 new hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses.

Those hydrogen fuel-cell buses, which also create zero emissions, began operating in January, when OCTA debuted its hydrogen fueling station in Santa Ana. In all, it represented a $22.9 million investment. More than half of that funding – $12.5 million – came from California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Testing both hydrogen fuel-cell and plug-in battery-electric buses will allow OCTA to collect valuable data and to determine which technology – or the best mix of technologies – to pursue moving forward.

OCTA operates more than 500 buses in the regular OC Bus system across Orange County. For now, most of those buses run on compressed natural gas but OCTA is working toward the goal of producing zero emissions.

OCTA will begin phasing in the purchase of zero-emission buses as part of future bus procurements beginning in 2023. At the same time, staff will continue to analyze emerging technologies and work with partners to secure funding for purchase, operations and maintenance of the buses.

The effort aligns with California’s Innovative Clean Transit Rule, a first-of-its-kind regulation in the U.S. that sets a goal for public transit agencies to gradually transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040. The Innovative Clean Transit Rule is part of the state’s comprehensive program helping to achieve California’s air quality and climate goals.

The hydrogen fuel-cell buses continue to be tested on routes throughout Orange County. The plug-in battery-electric buses are expected to begin operation in Orange County in late 2021.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has approved a budget of more than $1.4 billion for the upcoming fiscal year – a balanced budget that makes conservative assumptions due to the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping important transportation improvements moving forward…