1. What is the Beach Boulevard Corridor Study (Study)?
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Caltrans assessed existing local conditions
along Beach Boulevard and proposed alternative solutions to improve traffic congestion, transit options,
safety, and other issues which challenge the successful growth of this busy corridor. The project was
funded by the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) and other local sources.
2. Where is the corridor?
Beach Boulevard is the north-south portion of California State Route 39 (SR 39) which runs approximately
21 miles in length and spans nine corridor cities in Orange County. The Beach Boulevard Corridor Study
limits are bound from Pacific Coast Highway to north of State Route 72 (Whittier Boulevard) in the City
of La Habra and by approximately ½-mile to the east and west of Beach Boulevard.
3. Why is the Study necessary?
Since opening in 1934, Beach Boulevard has grown in use and diversity of uses along the corridor. The
busy roadway also serves as a popular commuter route, which feeds into three, regional significant
highways (Interstate 405, Interstate 5, State Route 91) as well as two locally significant thoroughfares
(State Route 22 and State Route 72), encountering daily traffic volumes of 26,000 to 83,000 vehicles per
day. The Study will be a first step to define a corridor-wide approach to use modern, best practices
that address transit and traffic congestion issues and will serve as a planning guide for implementation
by local jurisdictions.
4. How will Caltrans, OCTA and the corridor cities use the results of the Study?
OCTA and Caltrans created a plan that will guide local jurisdictions in crafting policy and
implementing development that complements the Study goals for the corridor. Local
jurisdictions will:
- Become more informed on the physical characteristics and amenities, along the entire Beach Boulevard
corridor,
- Receive recommendations of uniform corridor themes and branding,
- Be better equipped to enhance accessibility of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure,
- Be more equipped to improve connectivity between existing and planned transportation hubs, and
- Use Study results to apply for funding for related projects within their city.