$19.5 Million Awarded to Improve Biking, Walking in O.C.

The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713
Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Aug. 8, 2016

$19.5 Million Awarded to Improve Biking, Walking in O.C.

OCTA board approved funding 13 projects including bicycle paths and safety improvements

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

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

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

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

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

Projects awarded funding include:

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

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

The complete list of projects that received funding is attached here.

Voice of OC posts press releases to provide readers with information directly from organizations. We do not edit or rewrite press releases, and encourage readers to contact the originator of a given release for more information. To submit a press release email pressreleases@voiceofoc.org

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.

Make a tax-deductible donation

About Voice of OC: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.