Dornan Seeks Federal Funds to Finish O.C. Roadwork

Rep. Robert K. Dornan appealed to members of Congress on Wednesday for $25.7 million to continue two major transit projects considered vital to relieving traffic congestion in Orange County.

Dornan (R-Garden Grove) made a pitch for federal help to expand Bristol Street in Santa Ana and build additional lanes connecting the San Diego Freeway and Costa Mesa Freeway. Congress has devoted money in past years for both initiatives.

The congressman also asked the House surface transportation subcommittee to designate the Eastern Transportation Corridor project as part of the National Highway System, making it a probable candidate for future federal dollars.

Dornan stressed the strong local support, both politically and financially, for the projects. Members of Congress like to see the communities’ efforts before they agree to part with federal funds.

“Federal funding complements the strong financial commitment of the state and local governments,” Dornan said. “Equally as important, it provides a tangible return to Orange County taxpayers.’

Winning over the subcommittee is the first step in a months-long process. In addition to receiving initial authorization in both the House and Senate, appropriators also must assent before money can be released.

For Bristol Street, Dornan requested $10.7 million to widen the roadway from four to six lanes along a 3.9-mile stretch between Edinger and McFadden avenues.

The city of Santa Ana already has invested $28 million for planning, design and partial construction and is seeking the federal money to complete the project.

Dornan said that Bristol Street is a major north-south artery that links the San Diego Freeway with the nation’s fifth-busiest interchange, the connection of the Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Orange freeways known as the “Orange Crush.”

To avoid the traffic congestion there, motorists have resorted to traveling Bristol Street and have created “unbearable bottleneck conditions,” Dornan said.

The congressman asked for $15 million to complete bus and high-occupancy-vehicle lanes connecting the San Diego and Costa Mesa freeway interchange near Costa Mesa.

The interchange is one of the nation’s 10 busiest, Dornan said. He also noted its proximity to John Wayne Airport, the South Coast Plaza mall and the Irvine Business Complex.

The lanes would help the Orange County Transit Authority increase bus service and relieve congestion, Dornan said. The necessary environmental analyses have been completed, he added.

Dornan also promoted the Eastern Corridor toll road as a necessary link to the National Highway System, the federal designation of the nation’s most important roadways.

The project calls for construction of a 23-mile toll road linking the Riverside Freeway with the San Diego Freeway. The federal government facilitated its construction by providing two lines of credit for a total of $17.6 million.

Dornan said he hopes the system will become a model for the nation and boasted of its high-tech license-plate readers that will compute drivers’ tolls.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) said the panel would likely accept the recommendation to include the tollway project if the state’s transportation agency approves the idea.