ON THE ISSUE OF ~ MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING OUR STREETS

By Harry Sidhu

The significant issue of maintaining and improving our streets and transportation options requires practical problem solving and innovation.

ON THE ISSUE OF ~ MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING OUR STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ~

THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHOSE ENDORSERS INCLUDE POLICE, SHERIFFS, ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN/OC SUPERVISOR CHRIS NORBY, AND MAYOR PRINGLE!

"As our Councilman, Harry has established himself as a true friend to the taxpayers. He shares my dedication to improving the lives and opportunities for all of Anaheim. Please join me in voting to re-elect Harry Sidhu to our Anaheim City Council!" ~ Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle ~

"As a successful business owner, Harry has brought practical can-do knowledge to City Hall. He knows that government must lead while also respecting individual freedom, and he will work on delivering transportation solutions that improve the quality of life. Anaheim needs him for another four years." ~ Orange County Transportation Authority, Chairman, and OC Supervisor, Chris Norby ~

Dear Voter,

The significant issue of maintaining and improving our streets and transportation options requires practical problem solving and innovation. I will continue to urge for synchronizing traffic signals on all of our major city streets which will reduce travel time and relieve traffic congestion. Additionally, I agree with the view that we need alternatives to fund critical infrastructure projects and can take advantage of public/private partnerships. Moreover, every dollar collected from taxes on gasoline or auto sales should go directly back into construction of more freeway lanes, more roads, and more public transportation. And, I will continue to support the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) project funding.

Presently underway is a project for Santa Ana Canyon Road Street Improvement from Lakeview to Imperial Highway which will rehab the street from curb to curb for a length of approximately 7,200 feet. This project also includes significant grading and reconstruction of the current splits in levels of east and west bound lanes. Additionally, improved signal operation/synchronization at the Imperial/Santa Ana Canyon intersection is part of the current construction project at La Palma. There has also been an ongoing study for the past 15 years of the Fairmont/91 Fwy. intersection to improve traffic on Imperial and provide additional relief for this route.

A recent accomplishment was working with the City's Traffic & Transportation Manager to have continental crosswalk striping and additional signing installed on Santa Ana Canyon Road/Fairmont. Radar speed signs have also been installed and Fairmont signal modifications for "split phasing" and pedestrian count down indicators are being evaluated along with spot widening at Mohler/Santa Ana Canyon with sidewalk construction underway.

Under the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) "Renewed Measure M" (M2) regional traffic signal synchronization program, over 2,000 signalized intersections across Orange County are targeted for coordinated operation. The goal is to improve the flow of traffic by developing and implementing regional signal coordination programs that cross jurisdictional boundaries. A prior pilot traffic signal synchronization project on Euclid is already operating.

It's important to note that most traffic signal synchronization programs today are limited to segments of roads or individual cities and agencies. Caltrans, for example, controls signals at intersections of freeways with arterial streets, while nearby signals at local street intersections are under the control of cities. This results in the street system operating at less than maximum efficiency. Therefore, as reported by OCTA, the M2 signal synchronization project, when completed over the next 30 years, can increase the capacity of the street grid and reduce the delay by over six million hours annually.

Our Public Works and Community Development Departments have also been diligently working with OCTA and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)/Metrolink staff, as part of a program to implement 14 at-grade rail crossing safety improvements in our residential areas. At the City Council Meeting of Tuesday, October 14, 2008, I voted to approve and authorize the execution of: (1) a cooperative agreement with the OCTA for Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Enhancements and Safety Measures Related to Quiet Zone Implementation along Metrolink Rail Lines (Orange and Olive subdivisions); and (2) a Construction and Maintenance Agreement with the SCRRA for Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Enhancements and Safety Measures Related to Quiet Zone Implementation. The City previously adopted a "Notice of Intent" to establish a Quiet Zone at Broadway, Santa Ana, South, and Vermont Streets. These streets are the City's priority crossings and are scheduled for early completion. In addition, the City and OCTA will pursue quiet zones in the Anaheim Canyon Area at Jefferson, Miraloma, Tustin, and La Palma, and in the Greater Downtown North Area of Sycamore, La Palma, and Orangethorpe.

As your councilman, I will work with Mayor Pringle and OCTA Chairman & OC Supervisor Chris Norby to continue the innovative reforms and the freedom-friendly, pro-business and pro-neighborhood policies needed to KEEP ANAHEIM MOVING FORWARD in a positive direction - with THE EXPERIENCE WE NEED WORKING FOR US!

I would be honored to have your VOTE (No. 3 on your ballot)!

In sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Harry Sidhu

Anaheim City Council Member