Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following the Orange County Transportation Authority Board Meeting on Railroad Stabilization, Mobile Ticketing for Buses, I-5 Improvements, and OCTA Budget for 2025-26 Fiscal Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2025

Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley   

(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com 

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting. Amongst other items, the OCTA Board voted unanimously on two significant projects: one in San Clemente and one in Costa Mesa. The Board also heard the 2025-26 budget presentation.

Item 2 – Update on the Emergency Need for Railroad Track Stabilization in the Vicinity of Mile Post 203.83 to 204.40 and 206.10 to 206.70 on the Orange Subdivision: The Board received an update on the state of emergency regarding railroad track stabilization in San Clemente. Construction mobilization work (including eight excavators) began in Areas 1 and 2 on April 28, 2025. Last week, approximately 1,340 tons/893 CY of riprap were placed in Area 2. The riprap repair and bridge removal will take 6 weeks in total to complete (covering Areas 1 and 2, as well as the bridges in Area 3).

“I commend the Coastal Commission’s efficiency in approving this critical emergency permit and their recognition of the need to protect our rail line and re-establish the Mariposa Point pedestrian trail in this area. I also appreciate the continued progress toward finding sand sources. My team continues to work on bringing sand from the Del Prado Dam through the rail line to prevent thousands of long truck trips and expedite sand delivery overall,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I urge the Coastal Commission to reconsider their rejection of an emergency at Area 4. The 300,000 cubic yards of sand planned for Area 4 is needed immediately to create a wide sandy buffer between the ocean and the railroad and to save our beaches.”

In Area 3, the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) approved by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) on May 7, 2025, will allow the full construction of a catchment wall, which will prevent falling debris from hitting the tracks, and the reconstruction of the adjacent pedestrian trail. Preparation is underway for a cooperative agreement with Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) for construction support for Area 3. Funding allocation is scheduled for the California Transportation Commission meeting later this week on May 15 and 16. The wall construction for Area 3 catchment wall will take approximately 8 months to complete. There will be ongoing regular construction coordination meetings between SCRRA, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Managing Agency, and the City of San Clemente. There will also be coordinated public outreach efforts with SCRRA’s contractor and the City of San Clemente.

In Area 4, OCTA met with the California Coastal Commission and presented the beach nourishment coastal sand modeling analysis. Unfortunately, the CCC does not recognize Area 4 as an emergency, which means no emergency CDP will be issued. OCTA will coordinate with CCC staff to complete the standard CDP. The wall construction for Area 4 shoreline protection wall will take approximately 8 months to complete.

OCTA is securing environmental clearance for offshore source dredging and placement of sand for Areas 1, 2, and 4. OCTA also received comments from the Federal Railroad Administration on National Environmental Policy Act documentation. OCTA is utilizing previous studies by the City of San Clemente to streamline the process and has provided a draft cooperative agreement to the City of San Clemente for offshore sand exploration. Finally, OCTA onboarded and met with Miller Marine Science and Consulting for a desktop study and underwater offshore marine biological study. This project completion is anticipated in 2027.

Item 18 – Amendment to the Master Plan of Arterial Highways: The Board voted to unanimously remove the Garfield-Gisler Street Bridge from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways (Plan). While it remained on the Plan, the prospective crossing placed 55 homes and a cemetery at risk of destruction. A recent Technical Review found, echoing Vice Chair Foley’s message for the past 20 years, that the Garfield-Gisler Bridge is in fact unnecessary.

“In my two decades of public service, I consistently advocated for the removal of the Gisler Street Bridge and 19th Street Bridge from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “As of today, with the Board’s unanimous vote, both bridges are removed from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways. Our residents in Mesa Verde can finally rest knowing that after more than two decades of advocacy, the Gisler Street Bridge will not threaten their neighborhood, coastal preserves, and golf course with unnecessary heavy traffic and eminent domain takings.”

Item 11 – Amendment to Agreement for Mobile Ticketing Services: The Board unanimously approved to continue their mobile ticketing pass service through the OC Bus Mobile Ticketing application. This extension will allow for a seamless transition to the new Rider Validation System, which OCTA anticipates launching in late 2025. The Rider Validation System will introduce the Wave Card, an enhanced mobile application that supports the use of credit and debit card payments that uses pay-as-you-go technology that lets rider pay for rides on OCTA transit based on what is used versus the fixed amount on a paper pass. Once implemented, riders can use the mobile app or purchase a physical reloadable card for a small fee. Riders may still pay for single rides with cash if they have exact change.

“Expanding the modes and ease of payment is an important step toward making OC buses accessible and reliable for all. Under the new fare system, riders can choose between credit or debit card payment, a loadable card, cash, mobile tap pay, or a mobile app. Additionally, the new fare cap system ensures no rider needs to pay extra just because they can’t pay for a monthly pass upfront,” said Vice Chair Foley.

Item 12 – Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the Interstate 5 Improvement Project Between Interstate 405 and Yale Avenue: With the approval of this item, the Board authorized Caltrans to define the roles and responsibilities of each agency that will work on the I-5 Improvement Project between the I-405 and Yale Avenue. Upon preparation, advertisement of bid documents will take place later this year. Several other projects have recently been completed.

“Today, the Board took a big step in advancing the I-5 Improvement Project (I-405 to Yale Ave) into the construction phase. Much like previously completed I-5 projects, I know the completion of this one will greatly improve the commute of all nearby Orange County residents. I look forward to witnessing the steadfast improvements the agencies working on this project will implement,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.

Item 22 – Orange County Transportation Authority Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Workshop: The Board reviewed the fiscal year 2025-26 proposed budget in a workshop setting following the regular meeting. The budget themes include guarded economic outlook, sustainable and resilient priorities, constituent express lane operations, expanded transit offerings, and delivering on our Measure M2 commitment. The proposed balanced budget of $1.74 billion is slightly down from last year, with $98.7 million set aside for future projects, so we avoid debt. The budget presents a balanced financial plan, detailing the sources and uses of funds. It reflects a mix of new revenues and the strategic use of previously designated funds, ensuring fiscal stability without resorting to deficit spending. Additionally, OCTA has budgeted for the replacement of seven compressed natural gas buses with new zero-emissions fuel-cell electric buses, along with greater infrastructure, moving the organization closer to its goal for a fully zero-emissions fleet.

“Throughout the last four years, OCTA experienced significant surpluses in sales tax. Instead of spending the surplus, our Board voted consistently to hold more funds in reserves, which helped us prepare for these uncertain financial times without negative impacts to our overall operations,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We continue to move forward with additional bus service, discount programs, and infrastructure projects.”

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Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.     

Vice Chair Foley’s 2025 Board appointments include:

Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,

Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),

Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee,

Regional Transportation Committee,

Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA),

TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee,

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)

Community Engagement Panel,

Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,

Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board,