Caltrans and Metro Release Draft Environmental Document on Proposal to Close SR-710 Gap

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today released a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) on proposals regarding the 4.5 mile gap between the I-210 Freeway in Pasadena and the end of the I-710 freeway in East Los Angeles.

The five alternatives proposed in the Draft EIR/EIS are:

• No Build option that would leave conditions as they are
• A traffic management system to upgrade and synchronize signals and improvements to local street intersections to more quickly move traffic that exits the dead end freeway
• A rapid bus line featuring high frequency service with minimal stops and potentially a dedicated bus lane
• Light rail to carry passengers between East Los Angeles and Pasadena
• A freeway tunnel that would extend the SR-710

No decisions have been made on any proposed alternative in the Draft EIR/EIS.

A 120-day public comment period begins with the release of the document. Two public hearings will be held for community input, the first will be on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Rosco C. Ingalls Auditorium on the campus of East Los Angeles College. There will be a 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. map viewing and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. public hearing.

The second will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the Pasadena Convention Center: A map viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the public hearing will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A third public hearing will be scheduled with date, time and place to be determined.

“We look forward to receiving valuable input from communities and the public on this critically important transportation issue that has affected not only this area, but the region, for decades,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen. “The feedback we receive is a vital part of the project development process and helps inform the selection of a preferred alternative.”

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