Deadliest Roadways In Orange County, Laguna Targeted For Repairs

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The U.S. Department of Transportation this week gave out $5 billion in grants designed to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians, targeting some of the deadliest roadways across California.

Laguna Beach is one of 43 communities to have received money in grants to develop action plans for roadway improvements, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week

The cities include receiving grants include:

• Laguna Niguel.
• Seal Beach.
• Costa Mesa.

The Orange County Department of Public Works also received grant money through the program, reports said.

The money will be spent to redesign roads and improve sidewalks on the nation's roadways.

"Every year, crashes cost tens of thousands of American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars to our economy; we face a national emergency on our roadways, and it demands urgent action," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "We are proud that these grants will directly support hundreds of communities as they prepare steps that are proven to make roadways safer and save lives."

The transportation department also launched an interactive map showing crash hotspots, and both Southern California and the Bay Area have roads with high traffic death rates.

Also this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $2.5 billion in funding for 16 mass transit projects across the Golden State. Newsom called it the first wave of a historic infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state.

“The projects funded represent critical transportation and will provide alternatives to driving with access to a modernized, public transit system,” said Governor Newsom. “California is unwavering in our commitment to our world-leading climate agenda, including record levels of investments in public transportation projects to electrify fleets, expand and improve service, and spark ridership growth.”

The funding is part of a larger, multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment to upgrade the state’s transit system to enhance mobility options, improve service and reduce overdependence on driving, according to a statement released by Newsom.