[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 1
First Street Multimodal
Boulevard Study
Work Study Session
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 2
Why First Street?
Citywide Statistics
• 55% of population with no access to a private vehicle1 • 21,916,743 combined bus boardings and alightings2
• Over 17,000 daily bicycle trips and 53,000 daily pedestrian trips3 1 US Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, Means of Transportation 2 OCTA Bus Ridership by City, Santa Ana 2024
3 Santa Ana Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, 2012 (extrapolated to 2024) [First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 3
Why First Street?
First Street Corridor Statistics
250+ Bikes per Day
85% on Sidewalk
*All data collected in March 2025
20,000 to 36,000
vehicles per day
Up to 2,900
Daily Boardings
1,300+ Pedestrians
per Day
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 4
Why Improve First Street?
Why First Street?
Collision Data
Comparison of Collision Data on Streets with Similar Volumes (2022-2025) 6 fatalities
2 fatalities
Location Total collisions
Total
Injured
Average number
of days between
collisions
Average number
of days between
injuries
Ped/Bik
e
Ped/Bike
Injury
1st from Bristol to Standard 323 249 1.13 1.47 38 33
Harbor from McFadden to Westminster 211 142 1.73 2.57 28 22 17th from Santiago to Tustin 154 121 2.37 3.02 22 21
An average of 1
collision every 27
hours
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 5
Travel Experience on First Street
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 6
Existing Environment on First
• 6 Lanes
• 16 Traffic Signals
• Signals are
Coordinated
• Routes 65
• 12 Stops (each
direction)
• No Transit
Signal Priority
• 9-10' Sidewalks
• Controlled Crossings
Only at Signals
• 84' to Cross First
• No Existing
Bicycle Facilities
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 7
Vulnerable Populations
Senior Population
Student Population
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 8
Existing Sidewalks
Narrow Sidewalks Curb Ramps
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 9
Pedestrian Exposure
Up to 1/2 Mile Between
Marked Crosswalks
Up to 82 Feet
Across First Street
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 10
Traffic Flow
Buses Block Lane Left Turn Pocket Queue
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 11
Bus Stops & Lighting
Bus Stop Safety &
Access
Lack of Lighting
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 12
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
Bicycles on Sidewalk E-bikes
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 13
Project Background
• Funded through REAP 2.0 grant administered by OCTA and SCAG
• Grant focuses on improving access for low-income housing through improved multimodal options within existing right-of- way
• Scope includes existing conditions assessment, community engagement, alternatives analysis, feasibility studies, and 100% design of the Locally Preferred Alternative
• December 2026 grant deadline, condensed schedule
• HDR Inc., a global traffic engineering and transportation planning firm, was awarded contract in May 2025
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 14
Project Goal
The project's goal is to improve the travel environment along First Street and connect people to places through a variety of reliable, safe, and affordable travel options.
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 15
Comprehensive Data Collection
Traffic/Bike/Ped Counts
Field Visit
LiDar Survey
Traffic Modeling
Bus Rider Experience
Equity Studies
Walk Audit
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 16
Safety Assessment
–Long distance between
marked / controlled
crosswalks across First Street
–High traffic speed
–Visibility (lighting and at
intersections)
–Absence of or discontinued
bike facilities
–Pedestrian signal violation
CATEGORY
NUMBER OF REPORTED CRASHES IN YEAR
TOT
AL
%
SHA
RE
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
CRASH SEVERITY
[PEDESTRIAN-INVOLVED]
Fatal Injury 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 6 10.7%
Severe Injury 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 2 9 16.1%
Minor Injury 5 3 0 0 5 4 8 2 27 48.2%
Complaint of Pain 4 1 0 0 1 1 4 3 14 25.0%
All Reported Crashes 10 6 1 1 10 6 15 7 56 -
CRASH SEVERITY [BICYCLE-
INVOLVED]
Fatal Injury 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 3.9%
Severe Injury 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1.9%
Minor Injury 5 0 0 0 1 8 6 4 24 46.2%
Complaint of Pain 4 3 0 0 3 6 1 8 25 48.1%
All Reported Crashes 9 3 0 0 6 15 7 12 52 -
Source: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 2017- 2024
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 17
Posted Speed vs. Observed Speed
85th Percentile Speeds
43 to 46 mph
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 18
Survival Rates by Age and Speed
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 19
Directional Volume and CapacityExisting Daily Traffic Volumes 0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Baker to
Shelton
Parton to
Ross
West of
Spurgeon
East of
Garfield
Standard to
Grand
West of
Wright
West of
Cabrillo Park
Drive
Golden
Circle to
Tustin
AvenueEastbound Westbound
3 lanes
2 lanes
(16,900)
(25,300)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 20
Benefits &
Trade-Offs
Analysis (3)
Community
Workshop 2
Community
Workshop 1
Existing
Conditions
Analysis
Community
Workshop 3
Narrow to 8
Options
Technical
Analysis
Feasibility
Assessment
Present
Options to
Stakeholders
Identify
Potential
Options
Identify
Issues
Identify 3
Potential
Concepts
Initial
Benefits &
Trade Offs
Analysis (8)
Workshops Held at Roosevelt-Walker Community Center
Data
Collection
Field
Walk
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 21
How people use First Street today,and
the improvements that would make it
safer and more comfortable to travel.
What we heard:
• Need for safer walking and biking
access
• Missing crosswalks in several
locations
• Mixed feedback on adding bike
lanes
• Interest in improved sidewalk
amenities (bus stops, lighting,
shade)
• Concerns about peak-hour traffic
increases
Reviewed eight preliminary design
alternatives developed from community
input, technical analysis, and feedback
from the virtual survey. What we heard:
• Preference for six-, five-, and four-
lane travel lanes, with bus lane
options.
• Protected bike paths from street
traffic and transit signal priority at
intersections
• More shade trees and landscape
areas
• Mid-block-controlled crossings to
reduce jaywalking and improve
pedestrian access
• Need for sidewalk safety and street
lighting improvements
Reviewed three redefined design
concepts developed from community
input, technical analysis, and a virtual
poll. What we heard:
• Support for a design that
balances traffic with safety,
accessibility, and environmental
enhancements
• Urgency for pedestrian and
bicyclist safety, calling for raised
crosswalks, protected
intersections, complete
sidewalks, and fully separated
bike paths
• Travel congestion concerns and
mixed support on reducing
travel lanes
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 22
Community Input Summary
• Safety
• Lighting
• Landscaping
• Bikes in Dedicated
Space
• Traffic Flow
• Existing Bus Stop
Safety
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 23
In-Person Touch Points
Workshops – 185 participants
Workshop Series #1 (one in person, one
virtual)
36 people, 102 comments
Workshop Series #2 (two in person, 3
hours each)
67 people, 88 comments
Workshop Series #3 (two in person, 2
hours each)
82 people, 237 comments
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 24
In-Person Touch Points
Pop Up Events
• Jim Rodeo (Jim Thorpe Elementary School)
• Fiestas Patrias
• SEVA Food Pantry Drive Thru (2)
• Chicano Heritage Festival
• Latino Health Access Senior Group
• Walk to School Day
• Santa Ana High School Youth Club Meeting
• Santa Ana College Career Fair
• ATP Mixer
• Coffee with the Mayor
• Faith Leaders Meeting
• Neighborhood Association Leadership Meeting
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 25
In-Person Touch Points
Neighborhood Association Meetings (11)
• Artesia Pillar (1)
• Downtown, Flower Park, and Artesia Pillar Combined (1) • Heninger Park (2)
• Pacific Park (3)
• Pico Lowell (1)
• Saddleback View & Zoo District Combined (1)
• Willard (1)
• Valley Adams, Centennial Park, Laurelhurst, and Shadow Run (1)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 26
Online Participation
Website
3,180 visits – Aug 2025 to Present
English – 2,091
Spanish - 552
Vietnamese - 537
Online Surveys
521 Responses
Q&A Survey (2 weeks, Sept 2025)
First Street issues, challenges
feedback
• Responses: 120
Video with Design Options
Survey (1 month, Oct 2025)
Feedback on eight design options
• Responses: 207
• Comments: 194
Social Media
8,584 unique
interactions
and impressions
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 27
Focused Meetings
Stakeholders (28)
• City of Santa Ana
• City of Tustin
• County of Orange
• Caltrans
• OC Health Care Agency
• OCTA
• Orange County CEO's Office
• Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
• Santa Ana Senior Center
• Environmental and Transportation
Advisory Committee (ETAC)
Stakeholders Contacted (28),
• Orange County Business
Council
• Santa Ana Chamber of
Commerce
• Mercy House
• Santa Ana Historical
Preservation Society
• Thrive Community Land Trust
• LIUNA - Local 652
• SEIU USWW - Local 1877
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 28
Stakeholders (28)
Focused Meetings
• Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD)
• Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate School
• Carver Elementary
• Garfield Elementary School
• John F. Kennedy Elementary School
• Roosevelt-Walker Academy
• Santa Ana City College
• Martin R. Heninger Elementary School
• Santa Ana High School
• Edward B. Cole Academy
• Rancho Santiago Community College District
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 29
Focused Meetings
City Department Meetings (5)
• Santa Ana City Projects Review Meeting
• Orange County Fire Authority
• Santa Ana Police Department
• Community Development Agency
• Planning and Building Agency
Community Based Organizations (5)
• The Bicycle Tree
• Orange County Environmental Justice
• Santa Ana Active Streets
• Latino Health Access
• Orange County Communities Organized for
Responsible Development (OCCORD)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 30
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 31
Elements Included in All Options
Improvements to sidewalk quality,
landscape and trees, curb ramps,
new high-visibility crosswalks, ADA
access, and transit signal priority
will be included & emergency pre-
emption (GPS), fire hydrants
adjacent to curbs.
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 32
New Controlled Pedestrian Crossings
• Shelton St.
• Booth St.
• New Signal at Lacy
St.
• Between McClay St.
& Wright St.
• East of Cabrillo Circle
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 33
West Side
3 Concepts Developed
(Bristol Street to Zoo Lane)
East Side
1 Concept
(Zoo Lane to Tustin Avenue)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 34
West Side Concepts (3)
West Side
(Bristol Street to Zoo Lane)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 35
Multi-Use Path Concept
Maintains six (6) travel lanes with a shared pedestrian and bicycle path on the south side
Concept 1
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 36
Multi-Use Path Concept
Six (6) travel lanes with a shared pedestrian and
bicycle path on the south side
Concept 1
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 37
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 38
Five (5) travel lanes with a sidewalk and a separated bikeway at the sidewalk level on each side
Enhanced Pedestrian and
Bicycle Zone Concept
Concept 2
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 39
Five (5) travel lanes with a sidewalk and a separated
bikeway on each side
Enhanced Pedestrian and
Bicycle Zone Concept
Concept 2
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 40
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 41
Bus Turnouts (WB)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 42
Bus Lanes and Bikeway
Concept
Four (4) travel lanes and two (2) bus lanes with a sidewalk and bikeway on each side
Concept 3
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 43
Bus Lanes and Bikeway
Concept
Four (4) travel lanes and two (2) bus lanes with a sidewalk and bikeway on each side
Concept 3
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 44
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 45
Enhanced Pedestrian &
Bicycle Concept
Travel Time Comparison (Opening Year)
EB:
WB:
EB:
WB:
EB:
WB:
AM PM
-2:05
-0:03
-0:09
-0:59
-2:12
+0:30
0:00
+1:30
+0:49
+0:27
+1:48
+3:01
AUTO:
Multi Use Path
Concept
Bus Lane/Bike
Lane Concept
1 2
3 [First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 46
Enhanced Pedestrian &
Bicycle Concept
Travel Time Comparison (Opening Year)
EB:
WB:
EB:
WB:
EB:
WB:
AM PM
BUS:
Multi Use Path
Concept
Bus Lane/Bike
Lane Concept
-3:57
+2:12
-2:17
+0:43
-4:11
+2:58
-2:01
+1:35
-3:39
+0:35
-4:04
+2:23
1 2
3 [First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 47
Limited separated pedestrian &
bicycle facilities
Narrow sidewalk for utilities,
lighting and streetscape
Highest increase in travel time
2-minute bus travel time savings
Dedicated pedestrian & bicycle
facilities
Narrowest crossing distance across
First Street
Maximum area for landscape
Minimal change in travel time
Westbound right turn pockets and
bus turnouts
Widens sidewalk on one side
Maintains or improves travel times
Limited safety improvements
1 2 3
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 48
East Side Concept (1)
East Side
(Zoo Lane to Tustin Avenue)
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 49
Four (4) travel lanes with a sidewalk and a separated
bikeway on each side
4 Lanes with Enhanced Pedestrian &
Bicycle Zone
[First Street Multimodal]
[Public Works, Traffic]
[February 17, 2026]
Slide 50
Questions