With a 710 Freeway Extension Unlikely, Cities Propose Alternatives

This May, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted down a long-standing proposal to link the two "dead ends" of the 710 Freeway in El Sereno and Pasadena. With a final decision from Caltrans expected early next year, affected cities are already submitting alternative proposals to ease traffic in the area.

Steve Scauzillo writes, "The authority will have about $1 billion or more to spend on 710 corridor projects, with about $740 million left from an allocation from 2008's Measure R sales tax, and the rest from state and federal sources."

Cities like Pasadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, and La Canada Flintridge, as well as the El Sereno neighborhood of L.A., have until December 31 to submit early project lists to Metro. Next March, Metro's board will review a full plan.

The proposed improvements mostly respond to rush hour traffic hotspots. "South Pasadena has finalized a wish list of road and transit improvements that includes a new 110 Freeway onramp, widening Fair Oaks Avenue by removing curb extensions and building two bridges spanning intersections where the Metro Gold Line light-rail train holds up city traffic."