FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Highlights Progress on Coastal Rail Protection, Environmental Cleanup Projects, and South County Transportation Projects
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
Item #3 - Update on Emergency Coastal Railroad Protection, Including Reinforcement Area 4 Shoreline Protection and Sand Placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4: The Board received an update on emergency coastal railroad protection efforts and approved an emergency declaration in San Clemente, including shoreline protection at Reinforcement Area 4 and sand placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4, addressing ongoing beach erosion, protecting exposed railroad infrastructure, and safeguarding passenger and freight rail service ahead of upcoming winter storms.
“Our coastal rail serves as a critical artery for goods, commerce, national security, and public transportation,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We must prioritize sand over boulders to save the rail and our beaches. I’m working with urgency to secure permits and contractors to place nearly 700,000 cubic yards of sand to combat the coastal erosion, especially in San Clemente.”
Item #10 - Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs – Project X Tier 1 2026 Call for Projects Programming Recommendations: The Board approved $3,870,044 in Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Program (Project X Tier 1) funding for eight projects, including five in District 5, aimed at reducing transportation-related pollution and improving water quality throughout Orange County.
District 5 Projects:
- Dana Point – Full Capture Trash Water Quality BMP Installations: Install 104 connector pipe screens along areas including Del Obispo Street, Del Prado Avenue, Doheny Park Road, Golden Lantern, and PCH.
- Laguna Hills – Ridge Route Drive Biofiltration Project: Construct a biofiltration basin to treat runoff from about 133.5 acres before it reaches Laguna Canyon and coastal waters.
- Mission Viejo – Trash and Runoff Abatement Project (TRAP): Install 12 connector pipe screens and 38 automatic retractable screens along major roads including El Toro Road, Marguerite Parkway, Los Alisos Boulevard, Alicia Parkway, and Jeronimo Road.
- San Clemente – Northern San Clemente Roadways Runoff Treatment Project: Install 126 connector pipe screen systems, four grated inlet trash screens, and 306 curb screens, treating roughly 540 acres.
- San Juan Capistrano – Calle Arroyo–La Novia Stormwater Project: Construct an in-line trash trap and infiltration basin near La Novia Avenue/Calle Arroyo to treat runoff from 88 acres.
“Protecting Orange County’s waterways starts with investing in pollution prevention – before our beaches and ocean experience impacts,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “These grants will help our cities capture trash, improve water quality, and protect our coastal environment for the future. With nearly 92 million gallons of trash captured since the program began, we continue making meaningful progress toward cleaner, healthier communities.”
Item #13 - South Orange County Transportation Projects Update: The Board received an update on three major South Orange County transportation projects: the Los Patrones Parkway Extension, which advanced into final design; the Ortega Highway Gap Closure, with construction anticipated in early 2027; and the I-5 Improvement Project from the San Diego County Line to Avenida Pico, which continues progressing through environmental review. The update also highlighted ongoing coastal rail stabilization efforts and approximately $2.3 billion in transportation investments throughout South Orange County.
“These projects represent critical investments in South Orange County’s transportation future,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “From extending Los Patrones Parkway and addressing longstanding congestion along Ortega Highway to completing the remaining HOV lanes on I-5, we continue our work to ensure safer, more reliable travel for residents and commuters. I’m actively advocating to ensure Ortega Hwy stays on track to start in January 2027 and finish timely. I remain committed to working with our regional partners to secure the necessary funding, accelerate project delivery, and improve mobility throughout South Orange County.”
Item #5 - Approval of Cooperative Agreement No. C260556 for Plans, Specifications, and Estimates for the State Route 74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure and Multimodal Improvement Project from Calle Entradero to Reata Road, Funding Actions and Project Update: The Board approved a $1.5 million cooperative agreement with Caltrans and an additional $4.681 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding for the SR-74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure and Multimodal Improvement Project in San Juan Capistrano. The project will eliminate an existing traffic chokepoint between Calle Entradero and Reata Road, improve traffic flow, add bicycle lanes, and enhance pedestrian safety. Construction completion remains on track for early 2029.
“The Ortega Highway serves as a critical connection for South Orange County residents, commuters, and businesses,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This additional funding moves us closer to the project starting in January 2027 to eliminate a longstanding traffic bottleneck while improving safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Vice Chair Foley continued, “I will continue working with OCTA, Caltrans, and the City of San Juan Capistrano to minimize construction impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and ensure reliable access for residents and essential workers throughout the project.”
Tune into the full OCTA Transportation meeting here. The next meeting will take place on October 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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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 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Olympics 28 Ad Hoc Committee
Urban Counties Caucus
