USDOT to Provide Technical Assistance to Support Transportation Planning for Anaheim Neighborhoods

ANAHEIM, Calif. (April 12, 2023) – A transportation enhancement project being led by the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for inclusion the agency’s Thriving Communities program. The project is one of three selected in California and 64 nation-wide. The program provides two years of federal planning assistance for infrastructure projects that will expand affordable transportation options and strengthen communities.

“I’m so proud to have played a part in bringing this federal support to crucial local public transportation projects across Anaheim,” said Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46). “With the continued growth in population and transit ridership, these planning tools will help ensure safe, affordable and efficient access to zero-emission transit across our community—and will set us up for success as we continue to work towards a more accessible, more connected, and more sustainable future.”

This planning, technical assistance, and capacity building support provided through the Thriving Communities program, will enable ATN to connect with essential resources and pursue historic funding opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden. ATN’s Thriving Communities project will assist in several areas identified as facing transportation, equity, health, economic, and housing challenges. This includes areas experiencing poverty and limited access to transit options.

“Public transportation plays a critical role in ensuring that our community has access to job opportunities, healthcare sites, and other critical locations throughout our region. With growing housing opportunities and job generating developments being planned and built in our area, this program will provide us with the technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to significantly enhance the transit options we provide,” said Diana Kotler, Executive Director of the Anaheim Transportation Network.

ATN’s Thriving Communities project will support providing efficient access to zero-emission transit, including robust public-private partnerships to ensure public engagement in planning the Katella Avenue bus rapid transit line. This proposed service, ANNA – Advancing Neighborhood Networks for All, is envisioned to connect residents to job centers on either end. Further, with Anaheim being selected as a co-host for the 2028 Olympic Games, transportation enhancements will assist with this expected increase in ridership.

ATN provides public transit service to 10 million passengers annually in portions of Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove and Orange. ATN’s fleet of 81 clean-fuel buses and 10 microtransit vehicles, play a critical role in connecting neighborhoods and employment centers in the greater Anaheim area to Amtrack, Metrolink, and OCTA routes.