Orange County Transportation Authority

The state's top transportation official has been hired to direct the Orange County Transportation Authority, a job that comes with a much larger salary and, perhaps, a lot less frustration. Will Kempton has headed the California Department of Transportation for the last five years, overseeing 50,000 miles of state highways and directing $10 billion worth of transportation projects. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to steer the state's $14-billion transportation budget.

Heather Churney tries to do her part for the environment by sharing the drive on the 91 Freeway between her home in Corona and her job in Orange County. But even heading home with two other people in the car, the school worker has been hit with a $4.50 toll during rush hour for using express lanes normally free to carpoolers. That is unfair and should be stopped, state lawmakers say. In a clash over how best to unclog California's freeways, Democratic and Republican legislators have united against the practice of charging tolls for ride-sharers, while local officials are defending the practice as necessary to keep traffic moving.

Orange County's most extensive bus route change in three decades begins Sunday, including the elimination of four routes and the addition of smaller buses called runabouts on eight new community routes. "We've been working really hard to get the word out but people still have a lot of questions," said Dee Traverzo, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Transportation Authority. "This is by far the biggest route change we've had in 35 years."

In a pending court settlement that could affect thousands of motorists, two Orange County toll road agencies have agreed to forgive more than $40 million in fines and pay $1.4 million to a group of drivers who alleged that they were charged excessive penalties for unpaid tolls. The proposed settlement involves the Orange County Transportation Authority, which owns the 91 Express Lanes on the 91 Freeway, and the Irvine-based Transportation Corridor Agencies, the operator of a 51-mile network of tollways comprising the Eastern, the Foothill and the San Joaquin Hills.

Eager to save money and avoid duplication, three top transportation officials, including the head of Orange County's toll road boards, called for an independent study Thursday to explore merging the tollway agencies with the public authority that does all other transportation planning.

As the story is told in South County, the newest Orange County political conspiracy was uncorked over pasta at Vessia Restaurant in Irvine more than two months ago. Lunching together were longtime pals Greg Winterbottom, the chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority, and Stan Oftelie, executive director of the Orange County Business Council who formerly headed the transportation agency.

County transportation officials Monday approved $3 million to help financially strapped Placentia finish an innovative project to silence train horns and improve safety at railroad crossings. Orange County Transportation Authority directors voted 11 to 5 to provide the funds for Placentia's so-called quiet zone and related safety measures at eight railroad crossings. "Placentia has taken on a huge burden," said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, an OCTA board member who voted for the grant.

Seeking to unclog one of the busiest freeways in the state, the Orange County Transportation Authority on Monday agreed to consider buying four privately run toll lanes that some critics blame for the Riverside Freeway's severe congestion. The action represents a critical step for Orange County in trying to deal with the 91 Express Lanes, a private venture that has an agreement with the state preventing major improvements to the Riverside Freeway.

It wasn't that long ago that Orange County's public transit system was named best in the country. Just 2005, in fact. The Orange County Transportation Authority was lauded for its service to the nation's fifth most populous county, logging a record number of bus trips and ridership growth. The agency was leading the way in green technology, the economy was booming and sales-tax revenue was pouring in. OCTA officials celebrated the honor by plastering a gold-medal logo, with their new bragging rights printed across it, onto the agency's 947 buses.

The offramp to Artesia Boulevard from the northbound Santa Ana Freeway will close tonight at 11 for freeway widening. The new ramp is expected to open in March. -- Source: Orange County Transportation Authority

It wasn't that long ago that Orange County's public transit system was named best in the country. Just 2005, in fact. The Orange County Transportation Authority was lauded for its service to the nation's fifth most populous county, logging a record number of bus trips and ridership growth. The agency was leading the way in green technology, the economy was booming and sales-tax revenue was pouring in. OCTA officials celebrated the honor by plastering a gold-medal logo, with their new bragging rights printed across it, onto the agency's 947 buses.

The state's top transportation official has been hired to direct the Orange County Transportation Authority, a job that comes with a much larger salary and, perhaps, a lot less frustration. Will Kempton has headed the California Department of Transportation for the last five years, overseeing 50,000 miles of state highways and directing $10 billion worth of transportation projects. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to steer the state's $14-billion transportation budget.

Orange County transit officials voted Monday to eliminate predawn bus service at the end of the year, apparently signaling an end to a program designed to help graveyard shift and low-wage workers get home. The change is part of a general budget-cutting move that will result in reduced bus service throughout the county. The Orange County Transportation Authority is facing severe budget problems and needs to make up for a $33-million shortfall in the coming year's budget, officials said.

The Orange County Transportation Authority board named Jim Kenan as interim chief executive of the organization Monday. Kenan, executive director of finance and administration, has been with OCTA since 1979. He will take over for Art Leahy, who led the agency for eight years and is leaving to head the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Kenan will serve in the post until the board names a permanent chief. -- Tami Abdollah

An Orange County sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty Friday to falsely imprisoning prostitutes to sexually touch and photograph them under the guise of police work. Richard Rodriguez, 44, of Chino was convicted of two felony counts of false imprisonment by fraud and deceit in Orange County Superior Court. While in uniform, the deputy, assigned to the Orange County Transportation Authority, approached prostitutes along Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove between November 2005 and March 2007, according to Orange County prosecutors.

On a Southern California fall afternoon, with temperatures reaching into the 90s, dozens of travelers took refuge under the tall ceiling of the Santa Ana transit terminal. Maria Salazar, 29, rested on a concrete bench, waiting to go home. Earlier this month, her boss cut back her hours at the preschool where she works as an assistant, and she was forced to sell her car.

A rebuilt connector from the eastbound Garden Grove Freeway to the southbound Santa Ana Freeway reopens today, after being closed for more than a year Source: Orange County Transportation Authority

The City Council tonight is expected to approve a $7,662 contract with the Orange County Transportation Authority to continue van services for participants in the city's senior citizen program. If approved, services will be available from July 1 through the end of October. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in chambers, 7800 Katella Ave.

A look at upcoming events: Today Freeway noise: The Orange County Transportation Authority considers a report on the noise-reduction effectiveness of rubberized asphalt rather than sound walls on a stretch of the Garden Grove Freeway. Tuesday Capistrano trial: A jury trial is set for former Capistrano Unified Supt. James Fleming and former Assistant Supt. Susan McGill in connection with their alleged compiling of an "enemies" list of people supporting a recall of district trustees in 2005.

Transportation planners today approved an agreement with Lehman Bros. and others to evaluate whether the bond debt for the 91 Freeway toll lanes in Orange County needs to be refinanced. The action was prompted after the bond insurer for the 91 Express Lanes debt was downgraded by several credit agencies. As a result, the interest rates on the bonds have increased and are now costing the Orange County Transportation Authority, which operates the toll lanes, $30,000 a week, an OCTA official said.