WESTMINSTER : Council OKs Plan for Measure M Funding

The City Council this week adopted a seven-year preliminary plan for street improvements in an attempt to get funding from Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax used to finance transportation projects.

To qualify for Measure M money, Westminster, as well as other local cities, must submit to the Orange County Transportation Authority a capital improvements program, which includes all projects proposed to be funded fully or partially by the measure for the next seven years.

About $625,000 from Measure M is earmarked for the city next year, City Engineer Marwan Youssef said. Westminster is eligible to receive more Measure M funds but must compete with other cities on the basis of its projects and their impact on the county.

The city’s seven-year plan contains 29 proposed projects. They include adding dual left-turn lanes on all four legs of the intersection of Springdale Street and Westminster Boulevard; paving McFadden Avenue from Beach Boulevard to Bushard Street and Magnolia Street from Bolsa Avenue to Edinger Avenue; and installing a traffic signal at Newland Street and Heil Avenue.

City officials also hope to work with Huntington Beach to extend Hoover Street to Gothard Street in that city.

The city’s final seven-year plan will be submitted to OCTA in August after the budget is adopted, Youssef said.

“If there is any modification of the budget, we will be able to reflect that in the seven-year plan,” Youssef said, adding that the plan is subject to change and negotiation every year the council applies for Measure M funding.