WTS

Measure M Next 10 Plan Bringing Balanced Transportation Improvements to O.C.

Plan includes $6.3 billion to improve transit service, streets and freeways in Orange County through 2026

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board adopted the 2019 Measure M2 Next 10 Delivery Plan, reflecting a balanced transportation system that supports sustainability while making improvements to freeways, streets and transit service throughout Orange County.

The Next 10 Plan, which sets project and program priorities over a 10-year period through 2026, aims to deliver transportation improvements promised to voters through Measure M as early as possible.

The plan was updated in response to a new revenue forecast for Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as OC Go. Measure M is expected to generate $13.4 billion through 2041, an increase of $300 million compared to last year’s sales tax revenue forecast, the first forecasted increase since 2014.

The Next 10 Plan calls for:

  • Delivering up to $4.3 billion in freeway projects, including completing 26 of 30 freeway project segments promised in Measure M
  • Allocating nearly $1 billion for street improvements, including synchronizing traffic signals and providing flexible funding to cities to improve their roads
  • Investing approximately $1 billion to enhance access to transit services, including delivery of the OC Streetcar and expanding Metrolink service
  • Ensuring the ongoing preservation of open space preserves and providing $40 million in water quality grants aimed at preventing the flow of trash and debris into waterways

For more information on how OC Go funds are helping to improve transportation, visit www.octa.net/MeasureM.

Read the original article here