Officials Against SR-710 Tunnel Option Will Hold Press Conference Ahead of Metro Meeting Saturday in Pasadena


Flickr/formulaone

Flickr/formulaone

Residents from 18 communities and local elected officials will hold a press conference and meeting Saturday, July 20th, 8:45am at Blair High School in Pasadena to rally against the SR-710 freeway tunnel option now being studied by Metro. Invited speakers are Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, South Pasadena Mayor Richard Schneider, La Canada Mayor Laura Olhasso, MTA Board & Glendale City Councilmember Ara Najarian, Pasadena Councilman Steve Madison and Former State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino.

The conference takes place just ahead of Metro’s SR-710 community session at Blair High School, 1201 S. Marengo Ave., from 9:30-11:30am.

KPCC’s AirTalk show July 17 covered the SR-710 study controversy this week. The story has received 134 comments so far, and more than 60% of its online poll respondents do not favor a freeway tunnel option.

KPCC program guests included Alhambra Mayor Steve Placidio and South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tem Marina Khubesrian. Alhambra’s strong support for building an SR-710 freeway tunnel is balanced by strong opposition from several communities in Los Angeles, South Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Sierra Madre and of course Glendale.

According to the No 710 Action Committee, “There is a tremendous amount of opposition from communities that see the undefined billions expected to be spent on the project as not fiscally responsible, and not solving local transportation problems or improving the environment.”

Members of the No 710 Action Committee noted that all of the other study options together (no build, light rail, bus rapid transit, and improving existing systems) could likely be implemented for the cost of the tunnel alone. What about choosing two of those other alternatives, plus finding a way to get more freight onto rail instead of trucks?

Decision makers should heed the total lack of consensus over building a huge SR-710 tunnel and seriously examine 21st century options for improving public transportation and moving goods.

Metro “All Communities Convening” July 2013 meeting times/locations listed here.