Study Overview

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is working to improve transit service along the Bristol Street Corridor, which was previously identified as one of several “opportunity corridors.” Located in central Orange County, the Bristol Street Corridor has become a critical north-south connection, linking residents, businesses, schools, and key destinations in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Irvine. The study will analyze and develop options to improve the flow of traffic and public transit along the Bristol Street corridor from West 17th Street in Santa Ana to Sunflower Avenue including the South Coast Metro area in Santa Ana and connections to John Wayne Airport.

Having begun in October 2018, the study is expected to conclude by summer 2020 and will identify solutions to improve public transportation and traffic conditions by:

• Improving frequency, service, and reliability
• Improving connections with key crosstown routes and the planned OC Streetcar project,
• Supporting first/last mile connections to jobs, services, retail centers, and multi-family/mixed use developments, and
• Enhancing the customer service experience and convenience of public transportation.

Each study phase of the Bristol Corridor will include community input in respect to corridor definition, alternatives development, and alternatives evaluation.

Background

Orange County is the second densest County in California and is expecting vast growth over the next two decades. Population and employment will grow an additional 10% and 17%, respectively and further increase the demand for improvements of public transportation services. In order to improve public transportation, OCTA completed the OC Transit Vision, in February 2018, a 20-year plan for enhancing and expanding public transit services throughout Orange County. This plan identified 11 corridors in Orange County to address growing transportation demands for major investments in high quality public transit improvements. For this reason, the Bristol Street corridor was chosen to be evaluated for transit system improvements, which may also one day connect corridor communities with the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), John Wayne Airport and the future OC Streetcar.

Study Status

The study will be completed in summer 2020 and engage public stakeholders during each phase from corridor assessment to final alternatives evaluation. The first round of public outreach will begin in summer 2019 and provide public stakeholders the opportunity to give input on their thoughts and perspectives on the corridor and the study’s developing conceptual alternatives.

FAQ

1. What is the Bristol Street Transit Corridor?
   Bristol Street, located in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, is among the heaviest traveled roadways in Orange County and supports high levels of public transit riders. The corridor spans from West 17th Street to Sunflower Avenue, however the study will also evaluate connections to John Wayne Airport. The busy corridor serves as a primary north-south route, providing access to several key destinations, including Santa Ana College (SAC), the Orange County Civic Center, Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA), South Coast Metro, and South Coast Plaza. It also runs in close proximity to two regional transportation centers, the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC) with 65+ trains daily and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, as well as intersecting with the path of the future OC Streetcar.


2. Why is the Bristol Street Transit Corridor being studied, and what will it achieve?
   The Bristol Street Corridor was identified in February 2018 by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) as one of 11 high demand transit corridors with potential to benefit from public transit investment and improvements in public transportation services. The goals of the study are to:
   • Improve the frequency, service, and reliability of public transportation,
   • Improve connections with key crosstown routes and the planned OC Streetcar project,
   • Support first/last mile connections to jobs, services, retail centers, and multi-family/mixed use developments, and
   • Enhance the customer service experience and convenience of public transportation.


3. How can I provide input on this study?
   The first round of community engagement begins in summer 2019. Please share your experience traveling Bristol Street and your opinions on improving service by taking a short survey. You are also invited to participate in the upcoming community meeting process. Sign-up to receive meeting invitations and study updates.


4. When will the study complete?
   The study began in late 2018 and is expected to be completed by summer 2020.


5. How can I stay informed about the latest developments?
   Please sign-up to receive meeting invitations and news on the study by signing-up to receive news updates and invitations to upcoming public meetings.


6. Who do I contact with study questions?
   Please direct public comments and inquiries to OCTA’s Community Relations Principal, Tresa Oliveri, either by phone (714) 560-5374 or via email toliveri@octa.net.

Past Meetings & Events:

Resources

Fact Sheet (Coming Soon)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (Español)
First Stakeholder Working Group Presentation

Related projects:

City of Santa Ana

General Plan Update
Bristol Street Corridor Specific Plan Amendment