Imagine - $BILLIONS$ of OC taxpayer sales tax money, years of extra dust and noise and traffic for OC residents, for a measly 16 miles of freeway improvement, and the end result? You get to sit in the same traffic, because the extra lanes are TOLL LANES. Or, alternatively, you can go a teeny bit faster and pay $9.95 EACH WAY, EVERY DAY! Thanks OCTA! As the project concludes, the ugly truth is becoming more evident. Please support this petition that just started this week and is growing exponentially each day. It's the first step in getting this disaster fixed. 

Summary:

We are deeply concerned about the introduction of toll lanes on the 405 Improvement Project in Orange County, California. The imposition of tolls on these lanes was carried out without sufficient transparency and public awareness. Most of us only learned about it when we saw the signs go up. We believe that these toll lanes should be open to the public at no cost. We demand the removal of toll lanes, and we call for OCTA's accountability in addressing this issue. Here are our key concerns:

1. Lack of Transparency and Public Awareness: The decision to introduce toll lanes on the 405 Improvement Project was made without adequate public input or awareness. While it may have adhered to legal requirements, it was intentionally kept out of the public eye. 

2. Misuse of Measure M Funds and Cost Efficiency: The Measure M (M2) 1/2 cent sales tax increase, approved by Orange County voters, was intended to fund essential transportation improvements. However, the decision to impose tolls on these lanes is a misuse of M2 funds. Taxpayers expected these funds to benefit the community as a whole, not to subsidize toll roads that primarily serve the wealthy and take advantage of the middle class. While the OCTA claims that the toll lanes portion of the project will be paid with tolls, the larger scope of the project allows for cost efficiencies, lower construction costs, and the advantages of economies of scale, which significantly reduce the overall financial burden OF these toll lanes. Without the M2 funds, the toll lanes would not be built. They are therefore indirectly funding the toll lanes with taxpayer money intended for non-toll lanes.

3. Toll Roads Do Not Benefit the Common Middle Class: Toll roads are regressive in nature, disproportionately affecting middle and lower-income individuals and families. These fees create an additional financial burden for commuters who have limited alternatives. Toll lanes often favor those with higher incomes, while middle and lower-income residents are left with increasingly congested free lanes.

We demand the following actions from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA):

Immediate Removal of Toll Lanes: OCTA must take decisive action to eliminate toll lanes on the 405 Improvement Project and make them freely accessible to all Orange County residents.
Reallocate Funds: OCTA must explore alternative funding sources or allocate the necessary funds from the remaining Measure M2 funds to maintain the quality and progress of the project without relying on toll revenue.
Accountability: OCTA's Board of Directors must be held accountable for the decision to impose tolls on the 405 Improvement Project without transparent and thorough public consultation. We demand a review of the board's actions and, if necessary, their removal from office for dereliction of duty in protecting the interests of the community.

It's time to reconsider the imposition of tolls on the 405 Improvement Project and ensure that this vital transportation corridor serves the best interests of the entire Orange County community. Join us in urging our local authorities to eliminate tolls on these lanes, reallocate funding responsibly, and hold OCTA accountable for their actions. Together, we can ensure a fair and efficient transportation system for everyone.