The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), a massive component of Orange County government, is responsible for trains, buses, roads, highway and freeway improvements, and the unfinished OC Streetcar. With its greater than $1.8 billion budget, the work of OCTA affects all those living in, working in, and visiting Orange County. A major source of OCTA funding is Measure M2, now called OC Go, which is a 1⁄2-cent sales tax currently running from 2011-2041.
The Grand Jury performed an overview of OCTA, with particular emphasis on two controversial and expensive projects: the OC Streetcar Project and the on-going San Clemente railroad disruption issues. Other topics addressed in this report include OCTA’s liability insurance exposure, the introduction of zero-emission buses, and freeways.
Transportation projects can cost in the billions of dollars and take decades from design to completion. In addition, the predicted potential benefits of major transportation projects can take years to evaluate. The Grand Jury found that OCTA has generally delivered its transportation projects successfully. However, it still faces tremendous challenges in keeping Orange County moving.
The Grand Jury investigated these issues and has made six recommendations. In accordance with California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the 2024-2025 Grand Jury requires (or as noted, requests) responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Based on its investigation titled “OCTA: It Takes a Lot to Keep Us Moving,” the 2024-2025 Orange County Grand Jury makes six recommendations, as follows:
San Clemente Railroad Corridor
R1. Despite significant obstacles to sand replenishment, OCTA should dedicate sufficient assets to investigating solutions whereby sand can be sourced and transported more quickly so that it can be a larger component of railroad track fortification. This investigation should begin by September 30, 2025. (F3)
R2. Orange County Transportation Authority should prioritize its lobbying of State and federal agencies to create an intermediate-level environmental permit designed specifically for public infrastructure that is between “Standard Coastal Development” and “Emergency.” (F4, F5, F6)
OC Streetcar Project
R3. Projects of the financial magnitude of the OC Streetcar (now over $600,000,000.00 and counting) should be planned and executed to benefit a significantly larger portion of Orange County. This should begin with all projects currently underway. (F7, F10)
R4. For major transportation projects such as the OC Streetcar, OCTA should improve public outreach, including education about each project’s origin, need, expected benefit, timeline, cost, and funding sources. This should begin with all projects currently underway. (F7, F8)
R5. Orange County Transportation Authority should establish a Business Interruption Fund (BIF), through a third party, like that of Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority, to assist business owners whose livelihoods are disrupted by major transportation projects such as the OC Streetcar Project. BIF to be established by December 31, 2025. (F9)
R6. Orange County Transportation Authority should consider reentering the liability insurance market to reduce the potential cost of a catastrophic loss. Staff report to OCTA Board about reentering the market by December 31, 2025. (F12)
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Categories: Local News, Regional
Maybe if OCTA stopped wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on useless freeway widening projects, which we already know don’t fulfill their stated purpose, they’d have plenty of funds left for fulfilling the grand jury’s recommendations for conducting legitimate public transit projects.
Amazing how public transit projects are subject to an inordinate amount of scrutiny of criticism, despite that they actually work to relieve traffic congestion and improve access to transportation, yet we as a society sign away our first borns to freeway widening projects without question.