Scoping: Notes on Public Comments during
La Canada 710 Conversation Meeting 1

A crowd attended Metro’s Scoping meeting in La Canada last night; every single person spoke against building a 710 tunnel or freeway except 710 Freeway Coalition Leader Nat Read.

Highlights of public demands for inclusion in the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement:

-A detailed explanation of how a public private partnership could possibly work for financing and operating a tunnel, including whether there are any viable models in California, and how such an arrangement can specifically benefit taxpayers as well as private investors

-Sharon Weisman: An analysis of all possible Native American burial sites along any route considered.

-Laura Olhasso, La Canada City Council Member: A demand that the study area include environmental impacts to all the foothill communities, including Glendale, La Canada, La Crescenta, Altadena. Olhasso said she was “appalled” that these are not included in the original study area, since major traffic and pollution impacts could result from a 710 freeway link to the 210.

-A robust cost/benefit analysis, which hasn’t yet even been attempted. The speaker said “no industry in the world would undertake a project like this without a detailed cost/benefit analysis,” and further demanded that the analysis be extended “in as much detail” for all alternatives to a tunnel.

-Increased noise level impacts. One resident who lives 1/3 mile north of the 210 and can hear trucks from his home stated that noise levels should be measured/estimated every 3 hours of each day throughout a year’s time.

-Bill Weisman, Glendale Transportation and Parking Commission Chair: Study a more efficient movement of goods, such as rail. He and others speakers mentioned the lowered friction advantages of rail transport for freight. Steel on steel reduces friction, energy required, pollution, and noise.

-Harvey (whose last name I didn’t catch), asked a question which elicited a strong round of applause from the audience: “Who is the invisible hand behind this project?” He said that these meetings couldn’t possibly be about exploring all alternatives, since all the slides and handouts are labeled “SR-710”. He and several other speakers expressed frustration that residents’ long-term opposition to this project has been ignored.

-Leon Mayer, who had just been at a Glendale City Council meeting, mentioned that the California Legislative Analyst’s office has raised questions about the legality and feasibility of the project.