Silent on 710 tunnel

South Pasadena didn't end up taking a firm stand either for or against the proposed 710 proposal, though some residents are skeptical. The Star-News said the City Council did again say it opposed a surface freeway, which would finally connect the 10 and 210 freeways (and take away many homes):

The city reaffirmed its long-standing opposition to a surface extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway and tried to clarify its more ambiguous stance on the latest tunnel alternative Tuesday during a special meeting of the City Council. City officials said the meeting was called only to update the public -- along with new council members David Sifuentes and Richard Schneider -- about South Pasadena's existing freeway position. The City Council did not discuss any policy changes. South Pasadena has been fighting efforts by Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to connect the freeway gap between the Los Angeles/Alhambra border and Pasadena since 1964.

Comments

[Ernie]

Ironic how South Pasadenans have no problem driving over homes that were once the more historically important Chavez Ravine, but heaven forbid they should have to do the same.

[Manus Ferrea]

Traffic in the LA Basin is a mess!

Wasn't South Pasadena sued by Alhambra for blocking the completion of the 710? Whatever happened to that??? And where does eminent domain come in on this... People have lost homes for much less in the past (albeit poor people). Why does South Pasadena get a pass (they have the cash to fight)?

Thirty Years ago there was space in and around the area... The homes in the way could have been physically moved; the ground cut... a tunnel built and the homes returned... And 30 years ago, it would have been cheaper to do it...
Now, with the inflated home prices, it will cost the taxpayers billions to complete... if it ever does... (I bet when home prices drop by 35% they'll wish they would have sold to the state; because the economic impact will move this project forward to bring jobs. You heard it here first! )

Now... If only we could get a Mass Transit system that went somewhere...
Consider this... the current light rail system we have doesn't go any where...at least no where near where people want to go...

There are no stops at Dodger Stadium (yet it goes right by it);
There are no stops at Staples Center (yet it goes near by)...
There are no stops at LAX Airport... (it's near by, but you have to take a shuttle or cab to get to it; and its not very timely)
There are no stops at the Beach or any Universities or colleges that I'm aware of, so; where does the light rail start and stop? Who uses it?

For a person that lives in Pasadena (the end of the Goldline), a trip on from LAX to Pasadena would take longer (with 4 transfers) than sitting in rush hour traffic without use of the carpool lane; other than not having to drive, there's no incentive to use Mass Transit.

And further, there is no reason, in my mind why there should be a fee for Mass Transit. Wow!! You say! Free public transportation. Why do I believe the MTA should be free to use! My answer is simple. Paying for mass transit in Los Angeles County is a tax on the poor and only the poor. If you look at where it does go and who uses it; it's only the poor. The rich are driving themselves or being driven in overpriced smog polluting luxury vehicles. Additionally, it will free up space on the freeway (delaying construction cost), it's greener than thousands of gas guzzling cars/trucks, and if it goes some where, people will use it.

So...
South Pasadena should find a solution they like and offer it to the state...
If they do not do it today, with a plan they like, then they will be forced to when the economy crashes.

The light rail system needs to be redesigned to go where people want to go...And there shouldn't be a fee for citizens using public transportation.

I don't know... but that's my two cents...
Manus Ferrea!

[Jason Hoppe]

Yep, while they drive their polluting Hummers and other SUVs through our towns. Sounds about right.

[Tim K.]

Don't worry. South Pasadena residents will speak up the instant it is known that there will be off-ramps that enter their neighborhoods. They will demand that vehicles entering and exiting pass through a smog absorbing, carpeted curtain to keep all that nasty pollution from flowing onto their city streets.