More than $9 million of federal dollars will be spent to add 28 crucial miles of bike lanes and trails in Orange County, an effort to better connect the region’s bikeway system.

Trails will be constructed and street lighting, signage and markings added.

“The goal of the program is to improve the connectivity of our bike network and close the gaps between a person’s starting point and their final destination,” said Laura Scheper, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the $9.4 million program.

The projects span across Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Irvine, La Habra, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Seal Beach and Santa Ana. Funding will be available as early as Spring 2013 and each city will be responsible for implementing their projects.

Among the key biking improvements:

• Cyclists along future La Pata Avenue will be able to ride a three-mile off-road path linked to other trails and San Juan Hills High School.

• In Costa Mesa’s Fairview Park, a new one-mile trail will let riders seamlessly get to nearby streets, the Talbert Nature Preserve, and the Santa Ana River Regional Bicycle Trail.

• And in Anaheim, added bike lanes and 4.2-miles of markings indicating that motorists and bicyclists must share the lane will be added so riders can travel between a future, massive transportation hub near Angel Stadium and Ball Road and Magnolia Avenue.

County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, who sits on the OCTA board, said in his north-county district he spearheaded a more “global approach” in bike planning. Bicycle routes were not well connected and cities were not coordinating, Nelson said.

“It would be like planning freeways on city borders,” Nelson said. “This seems to be a good way to get cities together. … Orange County will be a master-planned county for bicycle transit.”

In Orange County, because of budget constraints, service on the public bus system has been slashed. Transportation officials want to offer options.

“Gas prices continue to rise, and whether it’s looking for an alternative to driving, a good exercise or just enjoying the outdoors, more and more people are taking to biking,” Scheper said.

At the beginning of next year, the agency is planning to roll out its bike-sharing program in Fullerton. OCTA has about $920,000 in funding, most from a federal grant, for the bike-share project.

There are about 1,000 miles of bikeways in Orange County with roughly 700 miles that have been planned.

Contact the writer: amolina@ocregister.com or 714-704-3795