Measure M is the one-half cent sales tax approved by Orange County voters in November 1990 for countywide transportation improvements. Measure M is expected to raise $4.2 billion over its 20-year life, all of which will be used for specific projects and programs in the Traffic Improvement and Growth Management Plan.
Measure M was created to develop a varied transportation system that would relieve congestion on existing freeways and streets and roads, and ensure future mobility within Orange County. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) administers Measure M funds. Orange County freeways receive 43 percent of Measure M funds to keep traffic flowing; streets and roads receive 32 percent of the funds for improvements, maintenance and rehabilitation; and 25 percent of the funds is designated for transit improvements and used to provide discount bus fares for seniors and people with disabilities.
Citizens Oversight Committee
Who makes sure that Measure M funds are spent on transportation projects that you and your fellow Orange County voters approve? Measure M requires that a nine-member Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) monitor OCTA's use of all Measure M funds. Every year since its beginning in 1990, the COC has found OCTA in compliance with all Measure M requirements. For information on who can serve on the COC, how members are chosen and responsibilities of the COC, click on the Citizens Oversight Committee link at the right.
Ensuring Mobility on Freeways - Measure M Funding
You've probably noticed major changes on most of Orange County's freeways during the past 13 years. Since 1990, OCTA and Caltrans completed the following Measure M freeway projects:
- Santa Ana Freeway (I-5 North) Measure M funds: $634.2 million
This major facelift included adding general purpose, carpool and auxiliary lanes in each direction; the I-5/SR-91 interchange was reconstructed; ramps, bridges, undercrossings and surface streets were improved to ease travel through Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Buena Park and Fullerton. This project began in 1996 and was completed in 2001.
- El Toro Y Measure M funds: $67.9 million
Once the county's worst bottleneck, the El Toro Y is now a modern interchange with 26 lanes at the widest point. Congestion through Lake Forest, Tustin and Irvine was relieved with a new interchange, collector/distributor lanes, and carpool connectors between the I-5 and I-405. This project began in 1993 and was completed in 1997.
- San Diego Freeway (I-5 South) Measure M funds: $50.8 million
A 12-mile section through San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, Laguna Nigel and Laguna Hills was improved with new carpool and auxiliary lanes in each direction, most on- and off-ramps at interchanges were modified, and 12,000 feet of soundwalls were constructed for nearby residents. This project began in 1994 and was completed in 1996.
- Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) Measure M funds: $48.4 million
Improvements through the cities of Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange and Anaheim included: adding new lanes in each direction; reconstructing eight crossings; reconfiguring eight on- and off-ramps at Chapman Avenue, and modifying interchanges at major freeways. This project began in 1995 and was completed in 2002.
- Orange Freeway (SR-57) Measure M funds: $24.2 million
This was the first Measure M freeway improvement. 12 miles through the cities of Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Placentia, Fullerton and Brea were improved with new carpool and auxiliary lanes in both directions, the Crowther Avenue undercrossing was completed, and 16,000 feet of soundwallls were built. The project began in 1991 and was completed in 1992.
- Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Measure M funds: $119 million
9.5 miles through the cities of Buena Park, La Palma, Placentia, Fullerton and Anaheim were improved: one carpool lane in each direction was added; the SR-91/SR-57 interchange was reconstructed; a collector/distributor road system was added at Harbor Boulevard and Lemon Street; and several main undercrossings were replaced or widened. Begun in 1997, the project was completed in 2000.
- Improving Local Streets & Roads
21% of Measure M funds are used to improve Orange County's 5,200 miles of local streets. Where will you see improvements in this category? Look at the major arteries and streets that cross city lines, watch for crews eliminating potholes and worn out surfaces, and look for improvements to intersections throughout Orange County. As of September 2003, Orange County's cities and unincorporated areas received $308 million in Measure M payments for ongoing maintenance of local streets and roads.
- Improving Regional Streets & Roads
Orange County's more than 1,400 miles of arterial highways receive 11% of Measure M funds. As part of this regional improvement, OCTA helps cities work together to convert the county's busiest roadways to "Smart Streets" by synchronizing traffic signals, improving intersections, removing on-street parking and adding bus turnouts. Beach Boulevard was one of the first "Smart Streets" completed in 1999. Other Measure M priorities in this category are improving traffic signal coordination throughout the county, upgrading existing arterial intersections and freeway interchanges, and improving the efficiency of existing road systems.
Recent Measure M street and road improvement projects include:
- Conversion of Imperial Highway to a "Smart Street" through Yorba Linda
- Conversion of Katella Avenue to a "Smart Street" in Anaheim
- Extension of Newhope Street through Fountain Valley
- Completion of the Avenida Vista Hermosa interchange in San Clemente
- Improvement of the Fairview Street/Edinger Avenue intersection in Santa Ana
- Improvement of the MacArthur Boulevard/Jamboree Road intersection in Irvine
- Improving Transit Services and Providing Alternatives to Driving
The remaining 25% of Measure M revenue is used for transit-related improvements. Expanded intercity and commuter train service, direct carpool connectors on Orange County freeways, and reducing bus fares for seniors and persons with disabilities are all part of these transit-related improvements.
Metrolink
Metrolink commuter rail service is a growing alternative to driving. OCTA, through Measure M, funds and oversees three Metrolink routes in Orange County:
- The Orange County Line runs from Oceanside to Los Angeles Union Station with stations in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Nigel/Mission Viejo, Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs and Commerce.
- The Inland Empire-Orange County Line runs from San Bernardino to Irvine, with stations in Riverside, Corona, West Corona, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Canyon, Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin.
- The 91 Line runs from Riverside to Los Angeles Union Station with stations in Corona, West Corona, Fullerton, Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs and Commerce.
More than 11,000 Orange County commuters use these three lines every weekday, accounting for more than three million passengers per year.
Easing Your Freeway Transitions
Measure M also includes improvements to transitway connectors on freeways. Traffic flow improved at the San Diego/Costa Mesa Freeway (I-405/SR-55) interchange with redesigned connector roads and the addition of two direct carpool lane connectors. Now vehicles using the carpool lane won't have to move across the entire freeway, keeping traffic moving more smoothly.
Looking Forward
By 2011, Orange County will see 230,000 new residents added to its population of three million, and an additional 300,000 new jobs. The OCTA has a 20-year plan to meet the challenges of providing a transportation system that preserves the quality of life for all residents. Transportation funding - like Measure M - will play a critical role in future Orange County transportation improvement projects.
Current Measure M projects include widening the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) along 12 miles through the cities of Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Orange. Proposed improvements include adding one carpool lane and continuous auxiliary lanes in each direction, building an elevated connector to separate the southbound SR-57 connector and The City Drive ramps on westbound SR-22, and adding a new collector-distributor road on the eastbound SR-22 between The City Drive and SR-57.
The Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) Far North Widening Project is another freeway improvement in the planning stage. Two miles within Buena Park along the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) from the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) to the Orange/Los Angeles County line will be improved. One carpool lane, one general purpose lane and auxiliary lanes in each direction will be added from SR-91 to Beach Boulevard.
Under the Measure M Local Turnback Program, OCTA will continue to allocate Measure M funds to cities for pothole repairs, resurfacing and general street and intersection improvements. As part of this program, four "Smart Streets" are scheduled for completion by 2007.
Measure M funds will help improve commuter rail service in Orange County. With more than 11,000 commuters currently using OCTA's three Metrolink lines every weekday, future improvements are on the way. A new station for Buena Park, new parking structures for the Irvine and Fullerton stations, and the purchase of new rail cars are planned to help handle growing ridership.
The Future of Measure M
Now you can have a voice in planning Orange County's transportation future. Come to a community workshop to learn about the Orange County Transportation Authority's Renewed Measure M Draft Transportation Investment Plan. You'll get a chance to comment on the draft plan for projects proposed for funding through renewal of Measure M, Orange County's half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
If approved, the 30-year, $11.8-billion program would deliver a wide range of transportation solutions. They include freeway widenings, street improvements, pothole repairs, transit enhancements and transportation for seniors and the disabled.
You also can visit
www.octa.net/renewedm to review the draft plan, learn about the process and share your comments. Public comments will be accepted until March 31, 2006.
Help Us Refine The
DRAFT TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT PLAN
Community Workshops 5 - 7 p.m.
Lake Forest City Hall
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006
25550 Commercentre Dr., #100
Lake Forest
Bus Route: 26
Garden Grove Community Center
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006
11300 Stanford, Garden Grove
Bus Routes: 37 and 56
Huntington Beach City Hall
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach
Bus Routes: 25, 172 and 178
Anaheim Downtown Community Center
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006
250 E. Center Street, Anaheim
Bus Routes: 42/42A, 47 and 147
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Monday, Feb. 27, 2006
27841 La Paz Road
Laguna Niguel
Bus Route: 490
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