LA County I-710 Freeway freight transportation battle moves underground

We recently wrote about the  I-710 Corridor Project in Los Angeles County, a proposed expansion of the 18 mile freight route from the Pomona Freeway south to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

This state-generated alternatives for expanding this highway have been strongly opposed by East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ) and other organizations, which have developed Community Alternative 7.

A second I-710 project has been the subject of disagreement and gridlock for over 50 years – the extension of the highway miles from its northern terminus near I-10 to the I-210 highway.

Source: Wikipedia

The most contentious proposal for this extension – the longest highway tunnel in the U.S, – almost 5 miles long.

This battle just heated up with the release of an Environmental Impact Statement, a public forum on Monday, and increased press coverage.  Most controversial is proposal to bridge this ‘gap’ with the longest highway tunnel in the United States.

Two of the most contentious questions regarding the tunnel is whether freight trucks should be allowed, and the health impacts of the vehicle exhaust that will be vented.

For more details, check out:

The web site of the No 710 Action Committee 

The research article,  Tunnels Concentrate Air Pollution By Up To 1,000 Times,

or a few recent news articles and blog posts on the subject:

Should a 710 Freeway tunnel allow trucks and will it be safe?, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

San Gabriel Valley cities clash over 710 Freeway options, Southern California Public Radio

710 Freeway Tunnel Debate at CalState L.A, South Pasadena Review

Pasadena convenes 710 Freeway Working Group, Pasadena Star News