Weekly Update 022513

7/30/2019 Weekly Update 022513

1/9

After Successfully Navigating OCTA, Kempton Makes His Last Trip This Week

OCTA CEO Will Kempton retires at

the end of the week and will return

to Sacramento to lead

Transportation California, a

nonprofit association of industry,

that advocates for improvements

to the transportation program.

But it all began with a seven-minute

OCTA bus ride from Anaheim to

OCTA headquarters in Orange for

his first day on the job in 2009.

During the short trip, Kempton

chatted with his coach operator

Gilbert Patterson, then a 20-year

veteran driver, about the qua lit y o f

the bus experience, the devastatingimpact of the national economic recession and state budget on OCTA's bus system and different ways

to make transit more of a travel option for the public.

Since that day in the beginning of August 2009, Kempton has hit the ground running.

Elected officials and staff members alike credit Kempton for successfully leading OCTA through one

of the worst economic times in the history of Orange County with difficult choices to reduce staffing

and bus service to ensure the long-term viability of the bus system that many people depend upon.

And desp ite a substanti al decr ease in revenues stem ming from the rece ssio n, Kempton ensured the

Measure M half-cent sales tax program is being delivered as promised to voters. Under Kempton's

leadership, the agency has delivered more than $1 billion worth of transportation projects that has

Feb. 25, 2013

Cutting through Congestion with New SR-91 LanesConserving O.C. Wildlife with Costa Mesa ProjectFestival of Whales Discount for Metrolink Riders

OCTA CEO Will Kempton joins coach operator Gilbert Patterson in 2009 f or his first

bus ride to work at his new job.

The Adobe Flash Player or an HTML5 supported browser is required for video playback.

Get the latest Flash Player

Learn more about upgrading to an HTML5 browser

A trib ute vi deo to OCTA CEO Wi ll Kemp ton hi ghlights the work he has accompl ished since 2009 i n his role a s the

leader of the transportation agency to keep Orange County moving.

Visit OCTA's YouTube page for more transportation videos.
http://www.youtube.com/gooctahttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/weeklyupdate/weekly_update.aspxhttp://www.octa.net/weeklyupdate/weekly_update.aspxhttp://www.octa.net/


2/9

helped create thousands of jobs.

"To say that he's been a good leader would not be true. He's been a great leader," OCTA Chairman

Greg Winterbottom said. "Will's leadership has guided us through some tough times, but we've

emerged as a stronger organization. His work to improve transportation has left a positive impact

not only on Orange County but also on our state and nation."

Kempton also lead the charge to enhanc e the agency's accountability and transparency to the

public. Under his direction, OCTA implemented its first five-year strategic plan that refined the

agency's vision, mission and goals that also included performance metrics for public review.

Kempton also worked to enhance transit marketing to potential riders and communications on

construction projects to the impacted public.

"I am incredibly proud to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people in improving

transportation for the residents, businesses and visitors in Orange County," Kempton said. "From my

first bus ride to work back in 2009, I've enjoyed working with others to tackle challenges and make a

difference that will help ensure transportation improvements continue in this county. It's been an

incredible ride."

The OCTA board of directors has appointed Deputy CEO Darrell Johnson to become OCTA's new

leader. Johnson is a product of a succession planning program implemented by Kempton and the

directors of the board. "Darrell will be a great CEO," Kempton said, "and I applaud the board's

decision."

I-5 Project Groundbreaking Marks Beginning of

Freeway Improvements in San Juan Capistrano

One of the largest projects in historic San Juan Capistrano broke ground last Wednesday near theOrtega Highway bridge.

The kickoff event for the $86-million project will reconstruct the San Diego Freeway (I-5) Ortega

Highway interchange to create additional traffic capacity in a congested historic downtown.

OCTA CEO Will Kempton welcomed the events participants and shared information about the

reconstruction project that will connect drivers both regionally, from Riverside into Orange County,

and locally within San Juan Capistrano and neighboring cities.

San Juan Capistrano

Councilman Larry Kramer

highlighted the importance of

preserving and maintaining thehistoric downtown through the

bri dge s design.

We are so glad that Caltrans

collaborated with us during the

design process to develop a

non-standard design that is

sensitive to the historic

OCTA Director and San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem Sam Allevato, San Juan

Capistrano Councilman Larry Kramer, OCTA Director and O range County Supervisor Pat Bates, Caltrans District Director Ryan

Chamberlain, San Juan Capistrano Economic Preservation Chair Laura Freese and OCTA CEO Will Kempton break ground

on the Ortega Highway project.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


3/9

character of our community,

Kramer said. This

reconstruction will be the

gateway to the citys historic

downtown and the mission.

OCTA Director and Orange

County Supervisor Pat Bates

joined San Juan Capistrano Economic Preservation Chai r Laura Freese to emp hasize the benefi ts of

this project to San Juan Capistrano and communities in south Orange County.

We expe ct the final int erch ange reconstruction will impr ove citywi de act ivit ies , e ncourage more

visi tors and unify lo cal businesses with a more effic ient traf fic flow, Freese said.

This groundbreaking marks the beginning of several improvements in southern Orange County.

OCTA is working with Caltrans and other agencies on these improvements:

l Carpool lane extension in each direction between San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano and

Avenida Pico in San C lemente

l Extension of La Pata Road in San Clemente

l Construction of Cow Camp Road in Rancho Mission Viejo

l Extension of the Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) from Oso Parkway in Mission Viejo to Ortega Highway in

San Juan Capistrano.

There are a lot of improvements coming our way in south Orange County and as these projectsmove into construction, we will continue to work with the local community and businesses to

minimize the impacts of construction, Bates said. These projects will enable our county to

accommodate future growth and ensure it remains a place future generations will enjoy.

Completed SR-91 Project Cuts through Congestion for Motorists

OCTA CEO Will Kempton starts off the program for the Ortega Highway

groundbreaking ceremony in San Juan Capistrano, welcoming the approximately

60 participants to the milestone event for South Orange County.

The Adobe Flash Player or an HTML5 supported browser is required for video playback.

Get the latest Flash Player

Learn more about upgrading to an HTML5 browser

OCTA is busy with two major milestones taking place right before its CEO Will Kempton retires: breaking ground on

the San Diego Freeway (I-5) Ortega Highway project and celebrating the completion of the Riverside Freeway (SR-

91) Westbound and Eastbound Lane Addition project.

Visit OCTA's YouTube page for more transportation videos.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.youtube.com/gooctahttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


4/9

The long-awaited completion of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Westbound and Eastbound Lane

Addi tion Proj ect was marked a t an event in Anaheim last Thursd ay.

OCTA CEO Will Kempton joined OCTA Director and Anaheim Mayor Pro-Tem Gail Eastman in

welcoming guests and the city of An aheim to the comp let ion even t that not only marks a miles tone

in Orange County, but also symbolizes the agencys ability to continue improving the SR-91 for

future generations.

More than 10 years ago, OCTA bought the 91 Express Lanes from a private company that had a

franchise agreement that included a noncompete clause. This clause had prevented OCTA and

other local agencies from improving the freeway without compensating the private franchise owner

for lost toll revenue. However, as congestion on the SR-91 increased, so did pressure to widen the

freeway.

After buying the 91 Ex press Lanes, OCTA lite rally cut the clause in half.

Chainsaw in hand, OCTA representatives and elected officials sawed through a noncompete clause

bann er, marking the beginnin g of impro vements o n the SR-91 in 2003.

OCTA once again put the chainsaw to work last Thursday, this time cutting down traffic congestion

as the agency officially opened the new six-mile westbound and eastbound lane between the Costa

Mesa Freeway (SR- 55) and Eastern Toll Road (SR- 241).

The fact is that we can now build a series of projects that will cut down on traffic congestion because

we t ook a chains aw t o the no n-compete cla use in 2003, OCTA Director Todd Spitzer said.

This project is the second in a series of freeway improvements to increase capacity and improve

operations on the SR-91, a vital freeway connection between the counties of Riverside, Los Angeles

and Orange.

The 91, along with the rest of our transportation network, are the roads that lead to a stronger

economy, a higher quality of life and a better and brighter future,Asse mblymember Don Wagnersaid. This project is an example of how state and local agencies can w ork together to provide

needed infrastructure improvements that not only help the daily users of the corridor, but also

provide needed economic stimulus.

This economic stimulus also came in the form of creating hundreds of jobs for Orange County

workers , provi ding a source of p ride and stea dy income for the men and women w ho worked every

day to build a better 91, said L.A. / O.C. Labor Council Representative Jim Adams.

In addition to the new general purpose lanes, the project also will deliver a second eastbound exit

lane at the high volume Lakeview, Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda / Weir Canyon off-ramps.

Over the last three years, OCTA and Caltrans have added 18 lane miles and made numerous

operational improvements to the S R-91 in Orange County.

Kempton also commended Caltrans and local cities and agencies for working together to make the

major freeway improvement possible, a collective effort that resulted in the $74-million project.

Caltrans Director Malcom Dougherty also congratulated the team and emphasized how the freeway

widenin g project provides cr itical congest ion relief now to l ast for future generations.

In keeping w ith the voter-approved Measure M plan, OCTA and Caltrans will break ground on the

next in the series of freeway improvements, the SR-91 Westbound Lane Project. This project will add

a four-mile lane between the Orange Freeway (SR-57) and San Diego Freeway (I-5) later this year.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission also will move forward with improvements on the

SR-91, east of Orange County.

These freeway improvement projects are part of the SR-91 Implementation plan, a multi-year and

multi-modal plan developed to improve mobility on the SR-91.

For more on these and other freeway improvement projects, visitwww.oct a.n et.

OCTA CEO Will Kempton,Todd Kutin of Sema Construction, L.A. / O.C. Labor Council Representative Jim Adams, Caltrans

Director Malcolm Dougherty, Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem G ail Eastman, Assemblyman Don Wagner, OCTA Direct or and Orange

County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, OCTA Director Al Murray, Riverside County Transportation Commission Chair Karen Spiegel

and former OCTA Chair Tim Keenan cut down transportation congestion with a chainsaw overlooking the SR-91.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


5/9

Conserving O.C.s Wildlife with Costa Mesa Project

OCTA Directors Patricia Bates

and John Moorlach celebrated

the ribbon-cutting of the

Fairview Park Wetlands and

Riparian Habitat Project in

Costa Mesa on Wednesday.

The approximately $10.5-

million Fairview Park project is

one of 11 Measure M2-funded

restoration projects in Orange

County and encompasses 208

acres of protected open space.

Fairview Park possesses a highpotential to support similar

vegeta tive communi ties lost to

freeway projects and this

project is restoring vital habitat

for species that are considered sensitive, Bates said. Fairview Park is a clear example of how OCTA

is committed to the preservation and restoration of open space in Orange County.

OCTA contributed funds to the restoration project through the Measure M2 Freeway Environmental

OCTA Directors John Moorlach and Patricia Bates, center, join elected officials at

Costa Mesa to celebrate the conservation efforts of the Fairview Park Wetlands and

Riparian Habitat Project at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


6/9

Mitigation Program, a pioneering effort to help conserve Orange Countys natural environment while

planning for current and future transportation needs.

Current improvements as part of the project include constructed wetland ponds, a water delivery

and irrigation system, a multipurpose trail, and added fencing, signage and 23 acres of native plants.

Under Measure M2, 5 percent, or approximately $300 million in the next 30 years, will be allocated

to restore and purchase open space to advance the environmental-permitting process for the 13

Measure M2 freeway improvement projects

The other restoration projects are located in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna

Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, Yorba Linda and the County of Orange.

I-5 Project Team to Host Two Open Houses in South O.C.

OCTAs community outreach team

is hosting two open houses

Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Wednesday,

Feb. 28 to inform residents about

planned improvements on the San

Diego Freeway (I-5) in South

County between the Corona Del

Mar Freeway (SR-73) and El Toro

Road.

The project will impact the cities of

Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills , La guna

Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest

and Mission Viejo.

These community meetings will

provide an opportunity for

residents and businesses to meet members of the project team and ask questions.

Planners expect the I-5 project to enhance traffic flow, improve mobility and reduce congestion

throughout the project area.

The community meetings will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

l Wed nes day , Feb. 27, at Missio n Viejo City Hall , 200 Civic Cente r in Mission Viejo

l Thursday, Feb 28, at Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills

Working with Caltrans, OCTA is planning the I-5 improvements that wil l be pa id for by federa l funds

and Measure M, Orange Countys half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

Planners are studying three options for I-5:

l No build

l Adding one gen eral-purpose lane in each direc tion and exte ndin g the seco nd carp ool lane fr om t he

El Toro interchange to Alicia Parkway (estimated cost is $560 million)

l Adding two general-purpose lanes i n ea ch direction and extendi ng the second carpool lan e from t he

El Toro interchange to Alicia Parkway (estimated cost is $700 million)

In addition, the proposed plan would reconstruct the Avery Parkway and La Paz Road interchanges

and add soundwalls and retaining walls as needed.

The project is early in the environmental analysis phase. Transportation planners expect to release

the draft environmental impact report for public review and comment this summer.

Construction would then be scheduled for 2018.

OCTA outreach team members have been active in the community by meeting with city, community

and business leaders as well as community members.

For more information about the project, visitwww.oct a.n et/ I5ElT oro .

OCTA and Metrolink Join the Pod for Festival of Whales

OCTA's outreach team will host two open houses about the planned improvements

on the San Diego Freeway (I-5) in South County that may affect the cities of Aliso

Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Mission

Viejo.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/I5ElTorohttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


7/9

OCTA is teaming up with Metrolink to help Orange County residents celebrate the 42nd annual Dana

Point Festival of Whales the weekends of March 2 and March 3 and March 9 and March 10.

The Festival of Whales celebrates the California gray whales on their annual migration to Baja.

Those who ride Metrolink to the event can use their ticket and receive 50 percent-off on whale-

watchin g ac tivi ties . Visit ors also can receive a $69 pe r night room rate at t he Dana Poin t Ma rina Inn

when men tioning OCTA at the t ime o f res ervat ion booking.

The Festival of Whales is a great way for residents to experience a rare sight and an opportunity to

participate in one of Orange Countys most popular community events, said OCTA Chairman Greg

Winterb ottom. We encourage thos e attending to take Metrolink an d take advantage of an

inexpensive and stress-free ride to the festivities.

Upon arrival at the San Juan Capistrano station, all Metrolink tickets are good for free connectingOCTA buses to the festival in Dana Point.

For train schedules and festival information, visitwww.octa. net/w hales20 13.

Agency Honored for Transportation Advocacy Efforts

The American Society of Civil Engineers presented OCTA with an award for transportation advocacy

and communications last Thursday during its awards banquet.

The civil engineering profession recognized OCTA's work in advocating for transportation policies to

expedite project delivery such as the Breaking Down Barriers initiative and implementing the O.C.

Jobs Now program.

The award also recognizes the OCTA team for effectively partnering with its members and other

groups to deliver transportation infrastructure improvements.

OCTA Hosts Workshop for Tow Companies

Representatives from 14 local tow

companies attended a proposal preparation

workshop d esigned to help local tow

companies effectively respond to OCTA

request for proposals (RFP) for Freeway

Service Patrol contracts.

OCTAs Motorist Services department,

Contracts Administration and Materials

Management department, and the

California Highway Patrol worked together

to create the workshop Monday.

OCTA officials provided information to

companies on the RFP process, proposal

development and the evaluation process,

and provided specific examples of how

companies have been challenged in developing proposals that are comprehensive in responding to

RFP requirements.

Participants appreciated the information to help them improve their proposals to compete for OCTA

bus iness.

Helping Seniors Ride the Bus

Participants can ride the Metrolink to Dana Point's Festival of Whales in March and use their tickets to get a 50 percent-off

discount on whale-watching activities in addition to other discounts from OCTA and Metrolink.

Tow truck operator Henry Gomez is one of the many workers employed

by local tow companies in Orange County that compete for OCTA

freeway service patrol contracts.
http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.octa.net/whales2013http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmap


8/9

OCTA will present information on how to ride the bus at the Lakeview Senior Center from 10:30 a.m.

to 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 in Irvine.

OCTA to Participate at Festival of Whales

OCTA will participate at the 2013 Festival of Whales opening reception from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 28 at Proud Marys restaurant in Dana Point.

Feb. 14 The OC Breeze andAsia n Journal reported that the Taxpayers Oversight Committee, an

independent group, found OCTA to be in compliance with the Measure M regulations for the 22nd

consecutive year.

Feb. 15 The OC Breeze and Lake Forest Patch wrote articles recognizing OCTAs coach operator,

maintenance and administrative employees of the year.

Feb. 15 Cal Watchdog published an article about a Placentia office-building owner being impacted

by two bri dge con stru cti on proj ects desi gne d to sep arat e vehicle and trai n traf fic.

Feb. 15 89.3 KPCC conducted an interview with Metrolink Boardmember Richard Katz about the

agencys shortage of cash reserves.

Feb. 1 5 - The Orange County Register wrote about construction nearing completion on the SR- 91

Wide ning Project, which in cludes adding one lane in e ach direction along a six-mile se gment

between the Costa Me sa Freeway (SR-55) and Eastern Toll Road (SR-241).

Feb. 18 The Long Beach Patch, Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch and Belmont Shore-Naples Patch

announced nighttime construction closures and detour information for portions of the West County

Connectors project.

Feb. 19 The Orange County Register reported that the rain caused a delay in the start of

construction on the San Diego F reeway (I-5) Ortega Highway Interchange project, originally

scheduled to begin Feb. 18.

Feb. 19 The San Juan Capistrano Patch published an article about San Juan Capistrano residents

protests against using a residential street as an alternate route during construction of the I-5 Ortega

Highway Interchange project.

Feb. 19 & Feb. 20 The Orange County Register penned articles about two OCTAopen houses for the

I-5 between Corona Del Mar (SR-71) and El Toro Road scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Mission

Viejo Cit y Hall and Thursd ay, Feb. 28 at the Laguna H ills Community Center.

Feb. 20 The Daily Pilot announced the completion

of a wetland habitat at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa.

The $5. 2-million project was partially funded by

OCTA as part of a program to help mitigate

environmental impacts from transportation

projects.

Feb. 20 & Feb. 21 The Capistrano Dispatch,

Orange County Register, San Juan Capistrano Patch

and Rancho Ortega Blog were among the news

outlets to report on the Feb. 20 g roundbreaking

ceremony for the I-5 Ortega Highway Interchange,

an $86.2-million improvement project.

Feb. 20 & Feb. 21 Orange County Register and The

Capistrano Dispatch published articles about five

railroad crossings in San Juan Capistranobein g ap proved for quiet zone stat us, effective March 15.

Feb. 21 to Feb. 22 Government Relations Manager Richard Bacigalupo, APTA Re-Authorization

Task Force meeting, Dallas-FortWorth, Tex.

The Capistrano Dispatch, Orange County Register, San Juan

Capistrano Patch and Rancho Ortega Blog report on the I-5

Ortega Highway Interchange groundbreaking, an $86.2-

million improvement project.

For the latest media news, followJoel Zlotnik, media relations manager, on Twitter.
http://longbeach-ca.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://losalamitos.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://belmontshore.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://www.ocregister.com/news/road-496456-project-open.htmlhttp://www.ocregister.com/news/-209748-ocprint--.htmlhttp://www.ocregister.com/news/project-496597-road-parkway.htmlhttp://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.twitter.com/OCTAnewshttp://www.twitter.com/OCTAnewshttp://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/2013/02/21/quiet-zones-finally-to-come-at-5-city-railroad-crossings/http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-496535-quiet-zones.htmlhttp://www.ranchoortega.com/blog/archives/1603http://sanjuancapistrano.patch.com/articles/video-caltran-breaks-ground-on-ortega-project#video-13417839http://www.ocregister.com/news/project-496700-city-ortega.htmlhttp://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/2013/02/21/city-gathers-for-groundbreaking-of-i-5ortega-interchange-project-2/http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dpt-0221-fairview-park-opening-20130220,0,4476003.storyhttp://www.ranchoortega.com/blog/archives/1603http://sanjuancapistrano.patch.com/articles/video-caltran-breaks-ground-on-ortega-project#video-13417839http://www.ocregister.com/news/project-496700-city-ortega.htmlhttp://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/2013/02/21/city-gathers-for-groundbreaking-of-i-5ortega-interchange-project-2/http://www.octa.net/WCCdetourmaphttp://www.ocregister.com/news/project-496597-road-parkway.htmlhttp://www.ocregister.com/news/-209748-ocprint--.htmlhttp://www.ocregister.com/news/road-496456-project-open.htmlhttp://sanjuancapistrano.patch.com/articles/residents-protest-opening-el-horno-street-to-vehicular-traffichttp://www.ocregister.com/news/ortega-496476-project-work.htmlhttp://belmontshore.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://losalamitos.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://longbeach-ca.patch.com/articles/major-closures-return-to-405-605-and-22-freewayshttp://epaper.ocregister.com/Olive/ODE/OCWAnaheimBulletin/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=T0NXQW5haGVpbUJ1bGxldGluLzIwMTMvMDIvMTQ.&pageno=Ng..&entity=QXIwMDYwMw..&view=ZW50aXR5http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/02/15/30532/metrolink-explains-why-it-hasnt-fixed-its-longstan/http://www.calwatchdog.com/2013/02/15/road-project-bulldozes-building-owners-equity/http://lakeforest-ca.patch.com/articles/lake-forest-woman-is-octa-s-best-bus-driverhttp://www.oc-breeze.com/2013/02/15/28423_octa-recognizes-three-outstanding-employees/http://www.asianjournal.com/community/community-news/19441-measure-m-oversight-panel-finds-octa-on-track.htmlhttp://www.oc-breeze.com/2013/02/14/28395_measure-m-oversight-panel-finds-octa-in-compliance/


9/9

For the latest in transportation issues and programs in Southern California,

followOCTA on Twitter.

Become a fan ofOCTA on Facebookto keep connected and learn more about how

OCTA is keeping Orange County moving.

Stay updated on transportation promotions, events and more on OCTA's YouTube

channel.
http://www.youtube.com/gooctahttp://www.youtube.com/gooctahttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Orange-CA/OCTA/32401940026http://www.facebook.com/goOCTAhttp://twitter.com/goOCTAhttp://www.twitter.com/TedNguyen

Documents

Weekly Update 022513