The Orange County Transport Authority (OCTA) is preparing the Directions 2045 strategy to which will shape for the long-term the transport system of Orange County.
Every four years, OCTA develops a long-term transport plan to meet county’s evolving mobility needs for the next 20 years and beyond.
The institution is working on the 2022 plan called Directions 2045, which aims to provide a framework for equitable, innovative and sustainable transport for Orange County’s future.
“The Long-Range Transport Plan evaluates demographic and economic forecasts to address future transport needs,” OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors said.
The long-term plan will continue to be developed through summer 2022 and is scheduled to go to the OCTA Board of Directors for consideration in fall 2022.
By 2045 the Orange County population is expected to increase by 9%. Without continuous analysis and planning, congestion delay and other transport challenges will worsen. Therefore, the Long-Range Transport Plan (LRTP) is developed every four years to define a vision for Orange County that aims to address future mobility needs. This vision considers a forecast of available revenues, changing demographics, and any other significant trends.
OCTA is currently implementing projects to develop the public transport system, in particular the urban rail transport. The authority is constructing the new and modern tram system, the OC Streetcar, connecting Santa Ana and Garden Grove. The east-west corridor is constructed between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC) and a new multi-modal transit hub at Harbor Boulevard/Westminster Boulevard in Garden Grove. The USD 423 million project covers the construction of a 6.7 km line served by 10 stations.
The authority is also involved in the construction of the Orange County maintenance facility (OCMF), which will be constructed off of Ridge Valley in Irvine, California. It will include train storage tracks, locomotive and car service platforms, and a service building with overhead cranes. Service platforms will include facilities for inspection, fueling and sanding, and interior and exterior car cleaning. Additional facility components will include office space for crews and facility staff, parts storage and management, water treatment, parking access roads, and security.
Together with Metrolink, OCTA is responsible for rail system expansion funded by OC Go to provide rail infrastructure improvements for increased Metrolink service between the Fullerton Transport Center and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station.
Together with Metrolink, OCTA is coordinating the construction of a 2-km rail extension in Dana Point, a siding track constructed adjacent to the existing main track from Victoria Boulevard running south and connecting to the main track near the rail crossing at Beach Road. The proposed project would reduce delays, increase safety and provide more reliable service.
The authority is also implementing its rail safety enhancement programme which includes upgrading and improving safety features at 52 rail crossings throughout the county.
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