ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today during OCTA’s Board of Directors Meeting, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who serves as a Director of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), approved OCTA’s 2024 Initiatives and Action Plan, additional funding for I-5 improvement project, and complete streets project funding recommendations.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by OCTA’s Board of Directors from their February 12, 2024, meeting:
OCTA’s Initiatives & Action Plan: Approved OCTA’s 2024 Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Initiatives and Action Plan. This document outlines the vision for the board and CEO Darrell Johnson for the upcoming year and 107 project goals and milestones for making these initiatives a reality.
“This plan reflects our commitment to meeting the transportation needs in our community while focusing on sustainability and climate action,” said Supervisor Foley. “OCTA’s plan presents a promising vision for our collective future with critical transportation improvement projects, investments in a zero emission fleet, and active transportation options. We will continue to work towards improving regional mobility and turning this vision into a reality.”
Agreement for I-5 Improvement Project Between State Route 73 to Oso Parkway: Approved an amendment to the contract for the Interstate 5 Improvement Project Between State Route 73 to Oso Parkway, increasing the project cost by more than $2.2 million. This additional funding is needed due to a variety of issues that have been encountered while building the project, including challenges with third-party utility relocations, buried objects, incorrect as-builts of existing facilities, and installation and removal of shoring required to protect third-party utility facilities.
“I remain committed to moving the I-5 Improvement Project forward, and to keeping residents informed with latest updates,” said Supervisor Foley. “I thank OCTA staff for joining my office recently at a Laguna Hills City Council Meeting to provide an update on the project. I requested and OCTA agreed provide more regular updates to the community.”
Complete Streets Project Funding Recommendations: Approved a list of funding recommendations for the 2023 Orange County Complete Streets Program. OCTA highly recommended several projects for funding in the Fifth District, including projects that Supervisor Foley successfully advocated on behalf of in the City of Cosa Mesa and in Laguna Beach.
“At OCTA, we continue to invest in active transportation to improve mobility in our communities and serve as a regional model for others to emulate,” said Supervisor Foley. “Funding projects along Adams Avenue and Fairview Road in Costa Mesa will provide safer walking and biking routes to local grocery centers, two high schools, two colleges, five elementary schools, and the OC Fair and Event Center. In Laguna Beach the sidewalk gap closure project helps improve walkability. Together with projects across the Fifth District, we will increase safety and mobility for users of all ages and abilities.”
Fifth District Community Based Circulators Ridership Report: Approved a ridership report for OCTA’s Project V, which provides funding to local transit services. Many of these local transit systems are located in the Fifth District, including Dana Point’s Summer Trolley, Laguna Beach’s trolley system, the Newport Beach Balboa Peninsula Trolley, Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula Trolley, RanchRide, and more. The ridership report provides information on the number of boardings, cost per boarding, customer satisfaction, and on-time performance metrics.
“Without question, south Orange County is struggling with public transit,” said Supervisor Foley. “With established lines like the LOSSAN Rail Corridor continuously facing issues, south Orange County communities need more public transit options, especially during seasonal events. As shown in this ridership report, our local trolley systems have become a beloved staple for our south county communities, and I am proud to partner with OCTA on supporting and expanding these systems.”
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
