Orange County to Seek Tax Hike to Ease Traffic Crush

Citing an unprecedented traffic crisis, the Orange County Transportation Commission voted 6 to 0 Monday to place a countywide half-cent sales tax increase for highway and transit projects on the Nov. 7 ballot.

The tax, estimated to cost each consumer $50 to $75 per year, would raise $3.1 billion for a 20-year $11.6-billion plan to speed traffic with wider freeways, additional car-pool lanes, “super streets” and commuter rail service. About $8.4 billion for the plan would come from existing sources, such as the state and federal governments.

Monday’s decision came a day after The Times Orange County Poll showed that public support for a sales tax increase from 6% to 6 1/2% has slipped to 48% from 54% about 11 months ago, with 46% now against the measure and the rest undecided. The margin of error for the poll was 4%.

A proposed 1-cent Orange County sales tax for transportation projects was defeated in June, 1984. It lost by 70% to 30%.

Without a county tax increase, officials said, there will be enough money to pay for only 80% of the $1.5-billion Santa Ana Freeway widening project, 60% of planned local street projects, and maintenance of existing transit services only at current ridership levels. Construction of three planned tollways in eastern and southern Orange County would be paid for with developer fees and bond sales.