At its most recent meeting on August 8, the OCTA Board of Directors approved more than $19.5 million to help Orange County cities improve bikeways and walkways. Funding provided by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) was awarded to 13 projects that promote safety, link to key destinations, close bikeway corridor gaps and improve air quality across the county.
“I’m impressed to see so many O.C. cities step up to the plate in favor of active transportation,” said OCTA Chair Lori Donchak. “OCTA is happy to make these worthwhile projects possible. Orange County is ideal for biking and walking and these projects will encourage more of us to considering leaving ours cars at home.”
The Cities of Anaheim, Dana Point, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Tustin and the County of Orange received funding. Projects highlights 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
For a complete list of funding allocations, click here.
Prior to this award, OCTA 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.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 miles of bikeways in the existing regional network consisting of paved and off-street trails, on-street striped bike lanes and bicycle-friendly routes.
