According to a recent review, Measure M is on track to deliver transportation improvements to Orange County. The half-cent sales tax is required to undergo a comprehensive review every 10 years of all projects and programs implemented under the Investment Plan (Plan).
The first 10-year review (2006-2016) evaluated the performance of the overall program and provided recommendations to improve performance (report summary). Although there have been legislative and economic changes, they do not warrant any significant changes to the Plan.
To ensure all elements of the Plan can be delivered as promised based on the projected revenue, an amendment to the Plan is being proposed to close out Project T – gateways to high speed rail, which is complete, and reallocate the balance to Project U to cover a shortfall in the Senior and Disabled Fare Stabilization Program and Project R, which funds the ongoing operation of Metrolink service in Orange County.
Project T has a capital investment emphasis, Project U has more of an operational assistance, and Project R has a mix of capital and operations. While the proposed amendment adjusts the relative amount of expenditures among those programs, it does so in the spirit of fulfilling the voter commitment by addressing the needs of two programs using cost savings from a completed program - Project T.
Please join us at OCTA for a public review of this proposed amendment tonight (Nov. 19) at 5:30 pm. A public hearing will take place on Dec. 14 at OCTA. We also welcome your comments online at octa.net/MeasureM.
If you have questions, please contact Tamara Warren, Measure M Program Manager, at twarren@octa.net or (714) 560-5590.