Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s Impact in District 5

Introduction

At the June 6, 2023 Board meeting, Orange County and LYNX staff introduced the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program to address critical transportation projects using existing revenue sources. This initiative, now with a budget of $100 million in the FY2023-2024 budget, aims to enhance safety and transit services across Orange County.

Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s Contribution

Commissioner Emily Bonilla has played a pivotal role in bringing essential improvements to District 5. The focus of her efforts has been on sidewalks and bus stop overhead shelters, significantly benefiting the community of Bithlo.

Sidewalks

• Purchase orders totaling $700,125.74 have been encumbered, with additional requests of $476,567.79 in progress.
• Approximately $664,000 is still under negotiation for sidewalk projects.
• A total of $25 million has been allocated for sidewalks in various districts, addressing 26 miles of sidewalks over the next 5 years.
  

Transit

• A funding agreement for shelters and route enhancements has been crafted by LYNX, with anticipated approval from the LYNX board in January 2024 and Orange County BCC in February 2024.

Overall Project Highlights

Roadway Lighting

• OUC has completed designs on specified road segments in District 3 and District 6, with installations being scheduled.
• Duke is evaluating projects and creating new billing accounts.

Safety Projects

• A project manager has been hired to implement short-term safety projects.
• Purchase and delivery orders are underway for safety traffic control devices.
• An overall strategy for planning, design, construction, and maintenance of safety components for identified corridors has been developed.

GIS Tool Development

A new GIS tool is in development, featuring a dashboard to track these projects. The launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.

Funding Allocation

Financial projections indicate that $100 million will be feasible over a 5-year period. Commissioner Bonilla’s efforts have ensured that a significant portion of these funds will go towards sidewalks and transit enhancements, directly benefiting District 5.

• 55% ($55 million):
  • Lighting: $15 million
  • Sidewalks: $25 million
  • Safety: $15 million
• 45% ($45 million):
  • Enhanced Operational Frequency: $30 million
  • Bus Stops & Shelters: $15 million

Conclusion

Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s commitment to the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program has brought substantial improvements to District 5, including sidewalks and transit enhancements. The ongoing projects reflect Orange County’s dedication to addressing critical transportation needs with available resources. Stay tuned for further updates through the upcoming GIS tool launch in 2024.