UCI

Satisfaction with the county's freeways is edging downward, with 22% now saying the current system is satisfactory, 50% wanting more lanes added and 28% calling for new freeways to be built. Last year, 25% said the current system was satisfactory, 51% wanted lanes added, and 24% wanted new freeways built. As in past years, residents are more satisfied in the South County than in the North (26% to 20%).

Eighteen percent of employed residents say they experience major traffic problems during their commute, 45% encounter some problems and 37% say they have no problems. Once again, the trend here indicates no improvements in traffic perceptions in recent years. Workers in the North County are more likely than those in the South to say traffic congestion is a great problem during their commute (20% to 13%).

Measure M projects remain popular, with two in three residents saying they are satisfied with the way Measure M funds are being spent. This includes 15% very satisfied and 53% somewhat satisfied, while 19% are not satisfied. Once again, there are no signs of improvement in transportation attitudes in recent years. Compared to the 1992 survey, however, the number who are satisfied has increased by 20 points (48% to 68%) and the number who are not satisfied has declined by 7 points (26% to 19%).

Fifty-seven percent of residents say they would vote yes on a ballot measure to extend the Measure M half-cent sales tax -- which is set to expire in 2011 -- another 20 years, to fund transportation projects in Orange County. Thirty-two percent would vote against the sales tax extension. This is similar to last year, when 57% said they would vote yes and 37% would vote no on the sales tax extension. North County is somewhat more in favor (59%) than is South County (52%), and Latinos (70%) are more likely to favor the sales tax extension than are non-Hispanic whites (54%). The majority of registered voters (55%) would vote in favor of the Measure M sales tax extension, with Democrats (61%) much more supportive than Republicans (50%). Still, support for this proposal falls short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage.