By Steve Hymon, June 19, 2015
Here is the news release from Caltrans and Metro:
To provide more time for study and
community input, Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) today extended the public comment
period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact
Statement (EIR/EIS) on SR-710 North until August 5, 2015. In addition,
Caltrans and Metro today released the Analysis of Costs and Benefits
(CBA) for the SR-710 North study alternatives. The CBA can be read at http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sr_710/images/attachmentb_sr710cbareport_2015-0619.pdf
The CBA was prepared in response to
direction by the Metro Board. The motion directed the chief executive
officer to conduct a parallel cost-benefit analysis concurrent with the
Draft EIR/EIS. The CBA is a means of applying an economic value to
alternatives, which enables the costs of an alternative to be compared
directly to the benefits the alternative will deliver. The CBA will be
considered in conjunction with the
The Draft EIR/EIS is in the midst of
public review that began March 6, 2015. 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.
Caltrans and Metro have conducted four
public hearings since the opening of the comment period and a fifth
hearing is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the David Wark
Griffith Middle School located at 4765 East Fourth Street, Los Angeles,
Calif. 90022. Map viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
followed by a public hearing from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday’s hearing will be available as a live webcast that can be accessed in English at ustream.tv/channel/sr-710-study and in Spanish at ustream.tv/channel/sr-710-espanol
The five alternatives proposed in the Draft EIR/EIS are:
•No Build option that would leave conditions as they are
•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.