Pasadena City Council To Vote On 710 Freeway Extension
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — The Pasadena City Council on Monday will decide on an official position on whether to support the construction of a tunnel to complete an extension connecting the San Bernardino (10) and Foothill (210) freeways.
KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports lawmakers have avoided taking a stance on the controversial proposal after opposing three other alternative plans back in August.
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Officials with Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been considering several options for alleviating traffic in the area where the Long Beach (710) Freeway ends just north of the 10 Freeway near Alhambra and the University Hills area.
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar initially introduced a resolution opposing five proposed routes for extending the 710 Freeway, but the L.A. City Council adopted a resolution in August opposing any freeway extensions that cut through the city.
The debate over the project spans four decades with a total of five options on the table to fill the more than 6-mile gap between the San Bernardino and Foothill freeways.
Pasadena officials like Councilwoman Jacque Robinson said she wants to hear from all sides before taking an official position.
"Because we don't have...a complete [Environmental Impact Report] yet, which would study the tunnel as well as the remaining options that the Metro is taking under consideration, I think it would be a bad precedent for us as a Council to take a position," Robinson said.
City leaders have been reluctant to weigh on the proposed extension ahead of a legal opinion on limitations imposed by Measure A, which voters passed in 2001 in support of completing the project.
Robinson said one possibility is the Council will vote to oppose the tunnel, but they may also opt to send the issue back to voters in a ballot measure.
"If we are going to be taking a position as a city against the tunnel option, then everyone should have the opportunity to participate in that decision, meaning that it should be placed on a future ballot," she said.
The council meeting will begin tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center and will be streamed live on the city's website.
