To:
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer January 20, 2026 DATE:
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-1520 , Approving the Submittal of Two Improvement Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for Funding Under the Competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-1520 approving the submittal of the following two Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects to OCTA for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P):
• Niguel Road from Alicia Parkway to Pacific Coast Highway • Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive from Moulton Parkway to SR-241 Northbound On-Ramp
BACKGROUND
In 1990, Orange County voters approved Measure M, a 20-year half-cent local transportation sales tax. Then in 2006, Orange County voters approved the renewal of the Measure M half-cent transportation sales tax, known as Measure M2, through 2041.
OCTA distributes Measure M2 funds on a formula basis or through a competitive process.
The Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) provides funds to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along key corridors and across multiple jurisdictions in Orange County. Most recently, the City received Project P funding for traffic signal synchronization along:
• Crown Valley Parkway from Pacific Coast Highway to Antonio Parkway • Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern from Glenwood Drive to Pacific Coast Highway
• Alicia Parkway from Crown Valley Parkway to Rustic Oak • La Paz Road from Crown Valley Parkway to Olympia Road / Felipe Road • Cabot Road from Paseo de Colinas to La Paz Road
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OCTA, as part of its 2026 Call for Projects under Measure M2, is accepting project applications for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P). The application process requires that the City adopt a resolution supporting the proposed project improvements . Submitting the two Measure M2 project applications supports City Council Goal 2 (Fiscal Sustainability) and Goal 4 (Infrastructure and Technology) of the City's adopted Strategic Plan.
ANALYSIS
Resolution No. 2026-1520 (Attachment "A") supports the two improvement project applications submitted to OCTA for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, as summarized below. • Niguel Road Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project The City of Laguna Niguel partnered with the City of Dana Point to prepare a project application for signal synchronizat ion along Niguel Road from Alicia Parkway to Pacific Coast Highway. This regional corridor is nearly 4.5 miles long and includes a total of 17 signalized intersections , 12 of which are in the City of Laguna Niguel. The project includes new signal cabinets , traffic signal controllers, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and hybrid video/radar vehicle detection equipment at several intersections along the corridor within Laguna Niguel which will tie into the City's Traffic Management Center (TMC) located at City Hall. Additionally , 4 offset signals will receive similar improvements along with new fiber optic communications .
Niguel Road is identified as a project corridor in OCTA's adopted Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan and the City's adopted Local Signal Synchronization Plan.
Pending the award of OCTA funding, the City of Laguna Niguel has committed to providing project management services under a project cooperative agreement with the City of Dana Point and act as the lead agency for design and construction.
A summary of the estimated Project P costs and funding for Niguel Road is shown in the following table.
Total Estimated Project Cost
OCTA Project P Grant Funds
Matching Funds from City of Laguna Niguel
Matching Funds from Dana Point
$1 ,586,000
$1 ,269,000
$227,000
$90,000
A location map of the signalized intersections along Niguel Road is provided as Attachment "B".
• Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project
The City of Laguna Niguel partnered with the City of Aliso Viejo, City of Laguna Hills, City of Mission Viejo, County of Orange, and Caltrans to prepare a project application for
signal synchronization along Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive from Moulton Parkway to SR-241 Northbound On-Ramp. This regional corridor is nearly 10.6 miles long and includes a total of 41 signalized intersections , 3 of which are in the City of Laguna Niguel. The project includes new CCTV cameras at 3 eligible offset signals, and a video server for the City's TMC.
Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive is identified as a project corridor in OCTA's adopted Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan. Pacific Park Drive / Oso Parkway was last synchronized in 2015 as an OCTA-led project. Pending the award of OCTA funding , the City of Aliso Viejo has committed to providing project management services under project cooperative agreements with all participating agencies and will serve as the lead agency for design and construction.
A summary of the estimated Project P costs and funding for Pacific Park Drive / Oso Parkway / Glenwood Drive is shown in the following table.
Total Estimated Project Cost $3,832,000
OCTA Project P Grant Funds $3,066,000
Matching Funds from Other Cities $742,000
Matching Funds from City of Laguna Niguel $24,000
A location map of the signalized intersections along Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive is provided as Attachment "C".
To complete the application process, the City Council must adopt Resolution No. 2026- 1520, supporting the proposed corridors improvements.
The OCTA Technical Steering/Technical Advisory Committees and OCTA Board of Directors will review Project P applications in Spring 2026. Grant funds will be made available to awarded agencies on July 1, 2026.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
1. The City Council could direct staff to remove one or both proposed project applications from consideration . This alternative is not recommended because this grant would cover 80% of the traffic signal improvement costs. These projects would also provide critical equipment upgrades to improve traffic safety and circulation , and update aging traffic signal infrastructure .
2. The City Council could direct staff to not improve the traffic signal equipment along Niguel Road and Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive. This alternative is not recommended because the traffic signal equipment would remain in its current condition and would likely further deteriorate , potentially resulting in interruptions of vehicular traffic until the projects are completed at a later date.
FISCAL REVIEW
If these projects are approved by OCTA, the City will be required to provide matching funds up to $251,000. Match funding will be included as part of the City's Capital Improvement Program budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney 's Office has reviewed the resolution and has approved the resolution as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-1520 approving the submittal of the following two Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects to OCTA for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P):
• Niguel Road from Alicia Parkway to Pacific Coast Highway • Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive from Moulton Parkway to SR-241 Northbound On-Ramp Works Director/City Engineer
Attachments :
A. Resolution No. 2026-1520
B. Location Map - Niguel Road
C. Location Map - Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive
ATTACHMENT A
Resolution No. 2026-1520
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-1520
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA ,
APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF TWO IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS TO THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FOR FUNDING UNDER THE 2026 COMPETITIVE MEASURE M2
REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM
The City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel hereby resolves, determines, and orders as follows that:
WHEREAS, the Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program targets over 2,000 signalized intersections across Orange County to maintain traffic signal synchronization, improve traffic flow, and reduce congestion across jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel has been declared by the Orange County Transportation Authority to meet the eligibility requirements to receive revenues as part of Measure M2; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel must include all projects funded by Net Revenues in the seven-year Capital Improvement Program as part of the Renewed Measure M Ordinance eligibility requirement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel authorizes a formal amendment to the seven-year Capital Improvement Program to add projects approved for funding upon approval from the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, if necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel has currently adopted a Local Signal Synchronization Plan consistent with the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan as a key component of local agencies' efforts to synchronizing traffic signals across local agencies' boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will provide matching funds for each project as required by the Orange County Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs Procedures Manual; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will not use Renewed Measure M funds to supplant Developer Fees or other commitments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel desires to implement multi-jurisdictional signal synchronization listed below; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel hereby requests the Orange County Transportation Authority allocate funds in the Resolution No. 2026-1520 Page2
amounts specified in the City's application to the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. Said funds, if approved, shall be matched by funds from the City as required and shall be used as supplemental funding to aid the City in signal synchronization along the following street(s):
1) Niguel Road from Alicia Parkway to Pacific Coast Highway 2) Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive from Moulton Parkway to SR-241 Northbound On-Ramp
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of January, 2026.
ATTEST:
Marissa J. Asistin
City Clerk
Gene Johns, Mayor
ATTACHMENT B
Location Map - Niguel Road
Niguel Road RTSSP
LEGEND
Eligible Intersect ions (12)
ligible Offset Intersection ( 4)
ATTACHMENT C
Location Map - Oso Parkway/ Pacific Park Drive/ Glenwood Drive Location Map
LEGEND
N
Oso Parkway / Pacific Parky Drive
/ Glenwood Drive
Eligible Intersections (3)
ligible Offset Intersection (3)
Oso Parkway / Pacific Park Drive / Glenwood Drive