Vasquez Heads OCTA; Big Projects Loom
Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez on Monday was named chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority, the $600-million-a-year agency that sets transit and highway priorities countywide.
Vasquez succeeds San Juan Capistrano Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer, who was OCTA’s chairman for 18 months during a period of record spending on traffic improvements under Measure M, the half-cent sales tax approved by Orange County voters in November, 1990.
Vasquez was selected unanimously by the 10 other voting OCTA board members. La Habra Councilman William D. Mahoney was named vice chairman.
As chairman, Vasquez will preside over one of the biggest decisions OCTA will have to make this year--whether to proceed with plans for a $2-billion, elevated urban rail line through central Orange County.
Following the OCTA meeting, Vasquez said he hopes to continue the agency’s commitment to finish the $1.9-billion Santa Ana Freeway widening effort and other construction projects, as well as plan for the future.
He declined to speculate on OCTA’s pending decision in April on whether to proceed with the elevated urban rail line.
“Whatever decisions are made,” said Vasquez, “they will be based on good information.”
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