Senate Approves Protecting San Clemente From Toll Road Extension

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — The California State Senate approved Senate Bill 1373 by Senator Patricia Bates, a law that would ensure no toll road extension would ever darken the City of San Clemente.

Written by Bates at the urging of her constituents, communities are now one step closer to "no toll road" in the pristine hillsides and communities of South Orange County.

"I thank Senate Democrats and Republicans for approving my bill to keep San Clemente and other communities together," said Senator Bates. "SB 1373 does not preclude Orange County from implementing projects that have local support. As the bill goes to the Assembly, I am committed to working with stakeholders to address their concerns."

SB 1373 would clarify existing law that State Route 241 will not run through the City of San Clemente, according to Bates.

The bill removes from state law a highway alignment that state and regional transportation agencies have abandoned due to its high environmental and economic costs. On March 12, 2020, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) – which oversees Orange County's toll roads – announced that it was no longer considering extending SR 241 that would cut through San Clemente.

Many San Clemente residents remain concerned that nothing would prevent the TCA from reconsidering the abandoned option in the future, according to Bates.

"SB 1373 would help ensure that the TCA cannot extend the toll road through the middle of San Clemente," Bates says.

The bill will now go to the Assembly for its consideration.