FREEWAYS’ FUTURE

Fewer than 10 county residents out of a hundred are satisfied with the freeway system--the continuation of a trend that has been in place for three years. So widespread is this dissatisfaction that a small majority (51%) believes more lanes will not do the job now, that new freeways are the answer to our traffic problems.

Just a few years ago, in 1982, a third of Orange Countians were satisfied with the freeways and only one-quarter thought we needed new ones. In any case, there has always been at least a two-thirds majority of the opinion that we need either more lanes or completely new freeways.

Regional differences highlight the shades of opinion regarding freeways, with those living in the southern and western sections of the county most in favor of new freeways. Commuters of all stripes are convinced of the need for new freeways, with at least half in all groups holding that view. Perceptions as to what extent commuter traffic is a problem color views on this issue, but even those who say they have no problems making their daily run to work are ready to agree our freeway system is inadequate.

AGE

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways TOTAL 7% 42% 51% 18-34 8 43 49 35-54 6 41 53 55 or older 6 42 52

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways Less than $36,000 9 48 43 $36,000-50,000 6 42 52 More than $50,000 4 35 61

REGION*

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways North 6 45 49 West 9 38 53 Central 9 45 46 South 4 39 57

COMMUTE TO WORK BY:

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways Driving alone 6 41 53 Car/van pool 8 42 50 Public transit/other 13 32 55

COMMUTER TRAFFIC IS:

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways No problem 9 45 46 Slight problem 8 41 51 Great problem 2 33 65

COMMUTER TRAFFIC HAS:

Current Need Need Freeways More New Satisfactory Lanes Freeways Gotten better 15 27 58 Gotten worse 5 39 56

* North: Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, Villa Park, Yorba Linda Central: Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Tustin, Tustin Foothills West: Cypress, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Rossmoor, Stanton, Seal Beach, Westminster South: Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, El Toro, Emerald Bay, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Silverado, South Laguna Source: Orange County Annual Survey by Mark Baldassare, UCI