City Council Set to Take 710 Freeway Stand Tonight
Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 | 5:35 AM
http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/city-council-set-to-take-710-freeway-stand-tonight
It happens tonight.
After months of official silence, the Pasadena City Council is poised
to take a definitive position on the controversial and sometimes
emotional issue of the 710 Long Beach Freeway extension.
At present, Metro has narrowed down the options for the 710 gap
closure project to five, including “no build,” bus, light rail, traffic
management solutions and a tunnel. None of the proposals have yet been
officially opposed or supported by the Council.
This comes after the Council rejected three proposed alternatives and
declined to take a united stand on the issue in August. Some residents
believe the council avoided voting for the record at that time so that
the freeway extension wouldn’t become an issue in the State Assembly
campaign of former City Councilman Chris Holden, but city officials said
they were awaiting a legal opinion.
The Council’s position must be in line with Measure A, approved by
the voters in 2001, that supports “completing the 710 freeway between
I-10 and I-210.”
Councilman Steve Madison sponsored a resolution in August to oppose
the tunnel option proposed by Metro. But then-Councilmember Chris Holden
countered that the council should solicit an outside legal opinion to
determine any restrictions imposed under Measure A.
Tonight’s Council agenda puts recommended alternative routes before the Council to support.
City Manager Michael Beck will submit city staff recommendations to the Council, including a busline and light rail.
The proposed Bus Rapid Transit line would connect Alhambra to
Pasadena generally along Fair Oaks Avenue, Colorado Boulevard, Hill/Lake
Avenue and California Boulevard.
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) line would connect Alhambra to Pasadena
in an underground route generally along Fair Oaks Avenue with an
underground terminus near Fillmore Street / Arroyo Parkway.
The City staff also recommended that the Council authorize Mayor Bill
Bogaard to send a letter to the Metro Board of Directors advising of
the City’s preferred alternative and concerns for adequate resolution of
the issue.
For its part, Metro said it is completing an Alternatives Analysis
prior to preparing an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact
Statement for the selection of a “locally preferred alternative” that
will attain the project goal of reducing traffic congestion in the study
area for the project, which is generally bordered by State Route 2 and
Interstates 10, 210 and 605.
Metro’s current plans anticipate completing the Final Environmental
Document in April, 2015,with Metro adopting a Record of Decision by May,
2015.
Meanwhile, the Southern California Association of Governments
Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata defended the tunnel option and said it
is the only viable approach and SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan
includes the freeway completion as a tunnel.
This has angered many residents in Pasadena who oppose the tunnel
because of its perceived adverse effect on the health and economy of
affected areas.
Tonight’s meeting will be conducted at the Pasadena Convention
Center, 300 E. Green St., in order to accommodate an expected large
audience. The public meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., with the 710 expected
to be considered starting at about 7:30 p.m.