Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) recently joined OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem and OCTA Board Member Jessie Lopez, and Fullerton Mayor and OCTA Board Member Fred Jung to announce $750,000 in federal funding to support the completion of the Santa Ana-Garden Grove Rails-to-Trails Gap Closure Project—which would allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel between two of the most park-poor cities in Orange County.
OCTA’s Santa Ana-Garden Grove Rails-to-Trails Gap Closure Project would explore a connection with the existing bicycle and pedestrian path between Nelson and Brookhurst street in Garden Grove southeast across the former Pacific Electric right-of-way to connect with the existing Santa Ana River Trail—which runs from the Pacific Coast Highway into Orange and beyond. The trail would run for approximately four miles, allowing a bicyclist to pedal—or a walker to stride—from Santa Ana’s downtown to cross the river and continue into a separated bikeway into downtown Garden Grove.
This project would provide a critical connection from the downtowns of both cities to the Santa Ana River trail—which is part of the 66-mile “OC Loop” that connects various destinations throughout Orange County. The result will be reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and public health in communities with higher-than-average rates of asthma and cardiovascular disease.
“On behalf of OCTA, I want to thank Rep. Correa for his support and for recognizing the importance of investing in active transportation projects like this,” said Johnson. “Creating additional safe and healthy ways to travel is critical for our communities as we continue to develop our transportation system to best meet the needs of the public.”