http://south.pasadenanow.com/caltrans-and-metro-release-draft-environmental-document-on-proposal-to-close-sr-710-gap/
March 6, 2015
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today
released a Draft Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact
Statement (EIR/EIS) on proposals regarding the 4.5 mile gap between the
I-210 Freeway in Pasadena and the end of the I-710 freeway in East Los
Angeles.
The five alternatives proposed in the Draft EIR/EIS are:
No Build option that would leave conditions as they are
A traffic management system to upgrade and synchronize signals and
improvements to local street intersections to more quickly move traffic
that exits the dead end freeway
A rapid bus line featuring high frequency service with minimal stops and potentially a dedicated bus lane
Light rail to carry passengers between East Los Angeles and Pasadena
A freeway tunnel that would extend the SR-710
No decisions have been made on any proposed alternative in the Draft
EIR/EIS. A 120-day public comment period begins with the release of the
document. Two public hearings will be held for community input, the
first will be on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Rosco C. Ingalls
Auditorium on the campus of East Los Angeles College. There will be a 10
a.m. to 11 a.m. map viewing and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. public hearing. The
second will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the Pasadena Convention
Center: A map viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the public
hearing will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A third public hearing will
be scheduled with date, time and place to be determined.
“We look forward to receiving valuable input from communities and the
public on this critically important transportation issue that has
affected not only this area, but the region, for decades,” said Caltrans
District 7 Director Carrie Bowen. “The feedback we receive is a vital
part of the project development process and helps inform the selection
of a preferred alternative.”
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the public hearings and
read the document at
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/envdocs/docs/710study/draft_eir-eis.
Public comment can be made on the link provided. The public comment
period ends July 6, 2015.
The full document can be viewed at the Caltrans District Office at 100
South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Copies are also available at
public libraries listed here:
http://www.metro.net/projects/sr-710-conversations/
An EIR is required to comply with the California Environmental Quality
Act and an EIS fulfills requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act. The laws require government agencies to identify the
significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid,
minimize or mitigate any adverse effects. Information from public
comments will be weighed before preparing the final environmental
document.
Altogether, approximately 26 detailed technical studies are included in the Draft EIR/EIS.
Through the process of compiling the Draft EIR/EIS, Metro and Caltrans
conducted 92 community meetings, participated in six city-sponsored
community forums and held over 200 briefings with community
stakeholders.
Purpose
