OCTA recently 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.
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.