While a Technical Advisory Committee for the SR-710 extension EIR has been meeting since January, Metro only organized Community Liaison Council meetings for members of the public in May. CLC members found then that options they wanted explored had already been eliminated from consideration.
CLC members have been asked to invite members of the public to a series of Open Houses which just began (one will be held in Eagle Rock Thursday, another in La Canada on Saturday). Even though the format of the Open Houses is more ‘for information only,’ Glendale citizens should attend and submit in writing any questions they have about the project.
There are conflicting statements from senior officials on the SR-710 extension’s use by trucks for goods movement. Some officials have stated the extension is to provide a north-bound route for trucks; others say trucks won’t be allowed in the tunnel. Truck traffic has a direct connection to safety, pollution, and congestion. It is also a significant factor in toll income projections, but these have been formulated without a clear idea of who will use this extension.
Community members from Long Beach to La Crescenta don’t want freeways expanded and extended to accommodate more trucks; instead they want forward-looking freight-to-rail alternatives, a completed light rail public transit network, better air quality and road safety, and less congestion.