Countywide : Funds Targeted for Bikeways, Sidewalks

Nearly $1.8 million in state sales tax money will be used for seven regional bicycle trail projects, along with bikeway or sidewalk improvements in every Orange County city.

The allocation of the money was approved this month by the Orange County Transportation Authority. All 31 Orange County cities and the county will split $750,000 to be used for local bicycle and sidewalk projects. The money will be distributed according to population.

Additional funds will be spent on the following regional projects:

* A $500,000 bridge that will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the Santa Ana River without leaving the trail along its banks.

* $206,000 worth of new pavement, striping and signs along the Alton Bike Trail between Bristol and Susan streets in Santa Ana.

* A $120,000 trail will be added in Laguna Niguel from Camino del Avion to Niguel Road.

* A $91,000 trail to link the Sand Canyon off-street bicycle trail and the old Barranca Road off-street bicycle trail, both in Irvine.

* An $80,000 trail to close the gap between the existing Golf Course Trail and bicycle lanes on Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa.

* The city of Newport Beach will receive $50,000 to replace the bicycle bridge over Bonita Creek on the off-road trail along the San Diego Creek.

* $45,000 will be spent for resurfacing, striping and installing signs for the Coyote Creek Channel Bike Trail in Los Alamitos.