LOCAL : Orange County Commission OKs 20-Year $11.6-Billion Traffic Plan

A 20-year $11.6-billion traffic improvement and growth management plan was approved 6 to 0 by the Orange County Transportation Commission today before a packed hearing room in Santa Ana.

The plan, which earmarks funds for the widening of Orange County freeways and the establishment of new commuter rail service, would be financed partly with $3.1 billion raised from a half-cent transportation sales tax.

Twenty-three people testified on the controversial plan, including several who opposed a similar 1-cent transportation sales tax that was voted down in June, 1984.

Although commission members amended the plan to encourage the purchase of more land for open space, several opponents remained upset by the panel’s rejection of an elected citizens’ review committee to oversee how sales-tax proceeds would be spent. Instead, the Transportation Commission amended the plan to include financial reviews by the Orange County Grand Jury.

The plan must go to the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the county’s 28 city councils for ratification. County officials have been working toward scheduling a special election for Nov. 7.