COSTA MESA — The City has been awarded three Complete Streets Program grants totaling $7.9 million from the Orange County Transportation Authority to create three interconnected, separated bike lanes as part of a major expansion of the City’s bicycle network.
Costa Mesa is the only jurisdiction in Orange County to receive three separate Complete Streets Program grant awards, with a total funding allocation of $7,918,000.
“We are grateful for these grants from OCTA, which will make our streets safer, including for bikers and pedestrians,” said Mayor John Stephens, who also serves on the OCTA Board of Directors. “Costa Mesa’s Public Works department did a wonderful job positioning the City for this needed funding. These funds will improve our connectivity throughout the City, especially through our growing bicycle network.”
The first grant valued at $1.76 million will provide the City with funds to construct a multipurpose Class I bicycle trail along Adams Avenue from the Santa Ana River to Royal Palm Drive.
A second grant valued at $4.2 million will provide funds to construct a Class IV separated bike lane along Adams Avenue from Harbor Boulevard to Fairview Road.
Finally, a third grant, totaling $1.94 million will provide funds to design and construct a Class IV separated bicycle lane along Fairview Road from Fair Drive to Adams Avenue.
The three connected projects will enhance the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on streets used by residents of all ages and abilities to access the Santa River Trail, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa High and Middle Schools, Mesa Verde Center, and the Orange County Fairgrounds.
In August 2023, the OCTA Board of Directors approved guidelines for the $55 million Complete Streets call for projects using federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds.
The OC Complete Streets Program is intended to support local-agency projects in Orange County that further a complete streets goal and have a transportation nexus. The City of Costa Mesa submitted three projects and secured grant funding for all.
The Adams Avenue project between Fairview and Harbor will begin construction next fiscal year. The Fairview Road project will begin design next fiscal year and construction the following year. The larger Adams project between Santa Ana River and Royal Palm will start in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tony Dodero
(714) 754-5288