Kristopher Fortin

Streetsblog California contributor, covering news in Orange County.

Transit recommendations in OCTA's Transit Master Plan. The plan proposes improvements to transit based on density. Image: OCTA

O.C. Draft Transit Master Plan Moves through Committee

By Kristopher Fortin | Feb 9, 2018 | 1 Comment

Major decisions on Orange County's transit future and key bicycle and pedestrian projects will be decided at Monday's OCTA Board meeting.

Car Takes Flight in Santa Ana, Crashes into Second Floor of Dentist Office

By Kristopher Fortin | Jan 18, 2018 | No Comments

Seventeenth Street is one of the wider streets in Santa Ana, with this stretch from curb to curb being more than 102 feet wide--the car flew more than fifty feet to reach that office's second floor.

Findings from Orange County Transportation Authority's Central Harbor Boulevard Transit Corridor Study were presented to the board and approved Monday. The study, which compiled outreach and technical evaluation, scored light rail and bus rapid transit highest. Image: OCTA

Streetcar, BRT Along Harbor Boulevard Rate Highest in OCTA Study of Transit Options

By Kristopher Fortin | Jan 17, 2018 | No Comments

According to OCTA's criteria, a streetcar or bus rapid transit would best serve the needs of people using this busy corridor.

Q&A: OCTA’s Paul Martin on the Orange County Active Transportation Plan

By Kristopher Fortin | Dec 28, 2017 | 1 Comment

Streetsblog sat down in early November with Paul Martin, OCTA’s active transportation coordinator, to talk about OC Active, the outreach effort to develop the plan, and the next steps towards completing the plan.

Walking group makes a stop on Bristol Street to talk about vacant lots created by widening the street. Image: Santa Ana Active Streets

Lighting Up Ten-Lane Bristol Street

By Kristopher Fortin | Dec 27, 2017 | No Comments

More than 45 people came out to a busy street in Santa Ana on December 14 to walk together and talk about the history and future of the surrounding area.

OCTA and Caltrans are accepting public comment on design alternatives for a segment of the I-405 between I-5 and SR-55. The no-build option (TOP) would keep the roadway as is, with one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV)
lane and four general purpose (GP) lanes
in each direction; the second option (MIDDLE) maintains the HOV lane, and adds a general purpose lanes and one auxiliary lane in each direction;
the third option (BOTTOM) includes one HOV lane and six GP lanes in each direction. Image: OCTA

Caltrans, OCTA to Host Public Hearing on Proposed I-405 Widening

By Kristopher Fortin | Dec 4, 2017 | No Comments

OCTA is considering widening the I-405 through Irvine. Its EIR says that would not have any environmental impact.

Bus riders exit the 66 OC Bus line at Mcfadden Avenue. More than 41 bus shelters are being installed in Santa Ana, with 22 being located in the Main Street corridor. Kristopher Fortin/Streetsblog CA

Santa Ana Is Getting 41 New Bus Shelters

By Kristopher Fortin | Dec 1, 2017 | 1 Comment

Santa Ana Public Works Agency has been at work installing 41 new bus shelters around the city, providing shading and seating for people waiting for the bus.

OCTA has seen an increase in ridership since it began a overhaul of its system since last year, bringing its decline below the national average. Image: OCTA

Orange County Bus Routes See 20% Increase in Ridership

By Kristopher Fortin | Nov 20, 2017 | No Comments

OCTA's redesign of its bus system, OC Bus 360°, cut some services but expanded them on high-ridership routes, and added a new student bus pass and a mobile-ticketing app. The result is an increase in rider numbers when other cities are seeing declines.

Youth for Active and Safe Communities (YASC) are working to get more skate parks in Santa Ana and to include skating as a mode of travel when planning and managing streets and public spaces. Image: KidWorks

A Right to Roll

By Kristopher Fortin | Nov 1, 2017 | No Comments

A group of youth from KidWorks, a Santa Ana nonprofit, has been working for the past two years to make sure skateboarding is included in transportation conversations in the city.

Eyes on the Street: At Santa Ana Crossroads, Residents Try Protected Bike Lane Demo

By Kristopher Fortin | Oct 27, 2017 | No Comments

Santa Ana resident Martin Mares remembers when he was 8 years old riding his bike on Hazard Avenue sidewalks to get to soccer practice. Mares, who grew up near the intersection of Euclid and Hazard, never questioned why he chose the sidewalk; he knew only that the street felt unsafe to ride. “No way would […]

Santa Ana Active Streets Is Building an Equity-Centered, Resident-Led Transportation Coalition

By Kristopher Fortin | Oct 20, 2017 | 3 Comments

Herein a short history of the founding of SAAS and what makes it distinct from transportation advocacy groups in other parts of the country, including some of the guiding principles that helped form the coalition.

Charles "Chuck" Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns. Marohn will be the keynote speaker at Friday's Orange County Active Transportation Forum in Santa Ana. Image: Strong Towns

Q&A: Strong Towns at Today’s Orange County Transportation Forum

By Kristopher Fortin | Sep 22, 2017 | No Comments

An interview with Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns about some of California's most pressing issues around growth and development--as well as some of the promising solutions coming out of Santa Ana.

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