Orange County streets will see an influx of $56 million after the Orange County Transportation Authority board voted to fund dozens of improvement projects through voter-approved Measure M2.
The funds are going toward widening major streets, adding turning lanes, improving intersections, enhancing freeway on-ramps and off-ramps and increasing bike lanes. Combined with the local agency matching funds, the total investment will result in more than $107 million in improvements.
"Voters sent a clear message that transportation is a top priority when they renewed Measure M," said OCTA chair Patricia Bates, also the Fifth District Supervisor. "We are very happy to see that the funding is provided to improve our local streets for everyone who lives, works and visits Orange County."
Through Measure M2, the competitive Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program will facilitate 46 projects throughout the county. Applications were reviewed for eligibility, consistency and adherence to guidelines and program objectives. There were 64 applications were received from 22 different agencies.
Measure M2 is Orange County's half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and was approved by 70 percent of voters in 2006. The program officially went into effect April 1 and is expected to bring in approximately $15 billion during the next 30 years.
