Moving Forward on First: A Safer, More Connected Corridor for Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana is taking bold steps to reimagine one of its most traveled and vital corridors—First Street. In partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and with funding from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the City has launched the First Street Multimodal Project, an effort designed to make the corridor safer, more efficient, and more welcoming for everyone who lives, works, and travels through the area.

Why First Street Matters

Stretching through key community destinations like the Artists Village, Santa Ana High School, Flower Park, and local business centers, First Street connects thousands of residents and visitors each day. It’s more than a roadway—it’s a lifeline for commerce, education, and daily life. Recognizing its importance, the City identified First Street in its 2022 General Plan Mobility Element as a prime candidate for multimodal improvements that serve people walking, biking, driving, and taking transit.

In 2024, the Santa Ana Vision Zero Plan elevated the corridor as one of the top five priority projects in the city—underscoring the need to improve safety for vulnerable road users and reduce traffic-related injuries.

What “Multimodal” Means for Santa Ana

The First Street project isn’t just about repaving or widening lanes. It’s about rethinking how people move. Planned improvements will make it easier—and safer—for people of all ages and abilities to travel along the corridor. That means enhanced crosswalks, better lighting, more shade, smoother traffic flow, and improved access to local businesses.

For business owners, this translates to more visibility and easier customer access. For residents, it means healthier, safer, and more connected neighborhoods.

How the Process Works

The City is following a structured, community-driven process to guide each phase of the project:

• Summer–Fall 2025: Gathering feedback from residents, businesses, and community members to understand how people use First Street and where they encounter challenges.

• Fall 2025–Winter 2026: Developing three design alternatives based on community input and technical analysis. These alternatives will be shared through local events and design workshops for further public feedback.

• January 2026: The Santa Ana City Council will select a “locally preferred concept” that balances multimodal goals with community needs.

• Spring–Fall 2026: Final engineering design and bid package completion. The project must be finalized by the end of 2026 due to grant funding timelines.

Importantly, all improvements will be made within the existing right-of-way—no private property will be acquired.

A Collaborative Vision for the Future

This project represents more than just infrastructure upgrades—it’s an investment in the safety, health, and vitality of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods. By working closely with local stakeholders, residents, and businesses, the City is building a corridor that reflects the community’s vision for mobility, accessibility, and growth.

Get Involved

Community participation will shape the future of First Street. Residents and business owners are encouraged to follow project updates, attend upcoming meetings, and share their input.

Learn more about the project and stay connected at bit.ly/MovingForwardOnFirst or contact FirstStreetMultimodal@santa-ana.org for more information.

The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce proudly supports projects that strengthen our city’s connectivity, enhance safety, and create opportunities for local businesses to thrive. The First Street Multimodal Project is a model of how thoughtful planning and community collaboration can build a stronger Santa Ana for everyone.