City Councilman Ara Najarian, a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors, gave Glendale advance warning in his televised January 7, 2009 City Council comments (fast forward to 18 minutes into the meeting) on the 710 freeway extension tunnel proposal. A map showing the areas where exploratory drilling will be conducted is on Glendale’s website here. The city website also provides this link to the Caltrans 710 tunnel study, as well as other documents.
Najarian warned that this was a quality of life issue for Glendale, as two proposed tunnel routes would link an extended 710 freeway to the 2 freeway, increasing traffic on that freeway by “tens of thousands of vehicle trips daily.” Earlier plans, which are still being explored for feasibility, include links to the 210 freeway, which La Canada has opposed on the same grounds.
The issue is receiving attention as the budget crisis looms over Sacramento. La Canada Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D) has introduced a bill that would eliminate the possibility of above-ground extension to the 210 by selling off the properties the state had acquired along the route – to reduce the education deficit! Pasadena Star News has additional background as well as comments from Portantino including:
“In the state’s current condition, $500 million that could go to education would make a huge difference,” Portantino said.
Glendale School Board, take note!
An LA Times blog entry on the subject elicited several comments about who wins (big businesses needing another direct cargo route for trucks, Alhambra residents who currently dodge those trucks when they reach the current end of the 710 freeway) and who loses (San Marino and South Pasadena residents who wouldn’t want a tunnel directly under them any more than a freeway running right through their community).
Meanwhile, a small-business advocacy group is pushing the idea that the Obama Administration should consider this project a top public-works priority. Fox & Hounds Daily says this should be a top priority for the incoming administration, and a boost to business in Southern California.