Patch Blog: SR-710 Real Stories

I am not from South Pasadena; I am retired but was a scientist, engineer, geologist, and environmentalist for over 40 years. I have planned, designed, assessed and constructed mines/quarries, roads, highways, tunnels, and sea ports in all continents except Australia and Antarctica. So I do know quite a bit and have a PhD from UCB (1967-78).

But what is the Reality...In 1938, a line went on a map and that was No.7, but my experience with SR-710 (I-710) started in 1990 when CalTrans (CT) wanted the old surface (SoPas-Meridian) route through El Sereno. As part of the Chamber of Commerce, we hosted CT public meeting for presenting the 710 in El Sereno. 

But even then we recognized that all of the benefits were for Alhambra at our expense--all construction was to be IN El Sereno and all benefits were in Alhambra, a basic contradiction to the CEQA process that was recognized by the "Environmental Justice" threads at the time. This became a judicial issue in El Sereno and a group took CalTrans to court in order to get the same mitigation in El Sereno as those in South Pasadena, covers on the freeway.

Then South Pas came up with the Multi-Mode/Low Build Transportation alternative which we thought was pretty good. Cal Trans thought and stated it was trash...but the FED judge reviewed the MM/LB and the Cal Trans review and found the review was a whitewash for the freeway which equaled a federal injunction, rescinding the federal Record of Decision (ROD) and the halt to I-710.

BUT and last week at Ramona Hall, Highland Park, there the surface Meridian route was again, even though the FED INJUNCTION is still in effect.   

For San Marino, SR-710 alternatives included N-S Highway/Arterial improvements and Atlantic/Los Robles, San Gabriel, and Rosemead (SR-19) but like the ancient East Route of I-710 these have apparently been screened/selected out by the MTA/Technical Study team. But do these removals help San Marino traffic problems - NO!! Will the SR-710 project as currently considered help the San Marino traffic?? - NO!!  

One of the first questions we had regarding the 710-Meridian Tunnel route was, "Would there be any interchange on Huntington Drive?" The answer: NO!! And therefore traffic going to the Eastern and especially Northeastern parts of the 200+ sq mi study area will be continuing along their current routes.

The white wash and snow jobs are going on now and I will review and provide a relatively fact-based review of each meeting that I go to...

By the way, I usually offer a free two-hour discussion workshop and Q&A anywhere in the western San Gabriel Valley if you buy the coffee and provide parking and at least four adults.

Tom Williams

What are your thoughts on the proposed 710 extension? Do you think it will ease traffic in San Marino? Tell us in the comment box below.