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OCTA's Bicycle Corridor Improvement Program

The Bicycle Corridor Improvement Program (BCIP) makes funding available to local Orange County agencies for bicycle and pedestrian projects that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

The goals of the BCIP are to:

  • Increase the number of biking and walking trips.
  • Provide regional linkages to key destinations.
  • Close bikeways corridor gaps.
  • Promote mobility options by increasing safety.
  • Implement projects with community support.
  • Improve air quality across Orange County.

Announcements

The 2019 BCIP Funding Recommendations are scheduled to be presented for consideration to the OCTA Board on June 10, 2019.

2019 BCIP Call for Projects

On September 24, 2018, the Board of Directors approved the 2019 BCIP and released a $25 million bicycle and pedestrian Call for Projects for fiscal year 2019-2020 through 2023-2024 for eligible projects.

Schedule

The estimated timeline below is subject to change:

Title
Schedule
Board of Directors Approval of Guidelines / Call Open September 24, 2018
BCIP Workshop September 27, 2018
Application Due Date Thursday, November 15th, 2018
Final Approved Agency Resolution Due December 31, 2018
Regional Planning and Highways Committee Approval of Projects June 2019
Board Approval of Projects June 2019

Workshop Materials

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PDF

Application Materials


The 2019 BCIP Application process consists of two required submittals:

  • One unbound original paper copy in 8 ½ x 11. Parts 1 through 5 must be no more than 20 pages long. Exhibits are not limited in size.
  • One electronic copy submitted online. (See below for more information)

Electronic Submittal

Electronic submittals must be made through the new OCTA’s State and Federal Calls for Projects database. Please contact Denise Arriaga at darriaga@octa.net or (714) 560-5489 to set-up agency access.

Southern California Association of Governments - Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy
The Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) is a long-range visioning plan that balances future mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals. The RTP/SCS embodies a collective vision for the region’s future and is developed with input from local governments, county transportation commissions (CTCs), tribal governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and local stakeholders within the counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.

The RTP/SCS is an important planning document for the region, allowing project sponsors to qualify for federal funding. The plan takes into account operations and maintenance costs, to ensure reliability, longevity and cost effectiveness.

Learn more at: scagrtpscs.net

OCTA - Long Range Transportation Plan
Every four years, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) develops the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), which OCTA uses to identify projects that can be funded over the next 20 to 25 years, and to evaluate their impact on future travel conditions. This also provides an opportunity to consider what planning initiatives are needed by OCTA to further improve Orange County’s transportation system. Once complete, the LRTP serves as the blueprint for future projects and as OCTA’s input into the Regional Transportation Plan for Southern California. This ensures that OCTA’s projects are eligible for state and federal funding and allows projects to move through the formal project development process.

Learn more at: octa.net/LRTP  

OCTA Regional Bikeway Strategies
Over 400 miles of recommended regional bikeway corridors were identified as part of a countywide effort involving OCTA, the Orange County Council of Governments, local jurisdictions, and bicycle stakeholders. The process to build consensus on these regional bikeways began in 2011 through a series of studies for four different subareas of Orange County: North, West/Central, South, and the Foothills. Forty percent of the regional bikeways have already been locally implemented, while the remaining segments require project development and funding to complete. The estimated amount of funding for completion is between $400 million and $500 million.

Learn more at: octa.net/bikeways-planning  

2009 OCTA Commuter Bikeways Strategic Plan
The CBSP is a regional planning document that identifies existing and proposed bikeways in Orange County. Through the cooperation of the cities and the County, an inventory was taken of existing bikeways, and priorities for new bikeways were identified. Prioritization of the proposed bikeways, as identified in the plan, was based on several factors, including input from local jurisdictions and the public, as well as connectivity to transit and regional destinations.

In addition to analysis of existing and proposed bikeways, the document provides information on bicycle amenities, such as bike lockers, parking, signage and trail markings. It also includes a discussion of safety and education programs, innovative roadway markings, bikeway fundamentals and funding sources. The CBSP will be replaced by OC Active, covering both bicycle and pedestrian topics.

Learn more at: octa.net/pdf/bikeways

Starting with the 2019 Call for Projects, online semi-annual reports will be accepted through the OCTA State and Federal Calls for Projects Database.

Projects that were awarded through the BCIP in 2012, 2014, or 2016 will still be able to submit their semi-annual reports by submitting the form available above to OCTA through email.

Local agencies interested in submitting semi-annual reports for BCIP projects awarded prior to 2019 through the Database, should contact BCIP staff to add these projects to the Database library.

For the first year, of semi-annual reporting through the Database, agencies will be able to continue to submit reports through email. However, after the first year this option will no longer be accepted.

BCIP Online Reporting Instructions are available here.

Agencies that have been awarded BCIP funding are required to complete the following reporting requirements:

  • Semi-annual project reports are due every six months until project completion
    BCIP SAR TEMPLATE
  • Final project reports are due no later than six months after agencies receive payment of their final invoice from Caltrans
    BCIP FR TEMPLATE
  • Final Report Instructions are available here.
Reporting Schedule
Due Date
Title
January 31, 2024 Semi-Annual Project Report 1 Due Date
July 31, 2024 Semi-Annual Project Report 2 Due Date

Contacts

Questions regarding the BCIP, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and MPAH can be directed to:
BCIP Program Manager:
Denise Sifford
Senior Transportation Funding Analyst
(714) 560-5489 | darriaga@octa.net
Active Transportation Coordinator:
Peter Sotherland
Active Transportation Coordinator
(714) 560-5386 | psotherland@octa.net
Master Plan of Arterial Highways Program Administrator:
Gregory Nord
Section Manager, Long-Range Planning and Corridor Studies
(714) 560-5885 | gnord@octa.net