710 Freeway

By Mike Ten

Candidates comments on 710 Freeway Issues

For the Record: "There will never be a surface 710 freeway gap closure, period." "I have never supported it, suggested it, or even put it on the proverbial "table". "No go, end of story, ain't gonna happen." Mike Ten 2007

There is a "Gap" closure right now. It is called the Fair Oaks Freeway, the Garfield Gateway, the Fremont Expressway, the Meridian Motorway and of course the Huntington Highway. But with this "Gap" closure, can our neighborhoods withstand the inevitable continuing growth of traffic and pollution spilling over into almost every street in our city? In the last four years, I have heard personal stories of near tragedies, accidents, and life threatening conditions from every corner of our city. From Monterey Road and Milan, to Fletcher, to Garfield and Oak, to Meridian and Pine, to Indiana and Hawthorne, and Chelten Way. Our citizens demand and expect solutions, not thirty year-old rhetoric. You ask "is surface freeway or bored tunnel necessary to answer the needs of neighboring cities" -- I ask isn't exploring other options and possibilities to meet the needs of our residents, their children and our neighborhoods the due responsibility of sound leadership in South Pasadena? I believe it is. But, the tunnel option, though in its conceptual form, shows promise to address and eliminate the major concerns and unacceptable effects that a surface 710 freeway has threatened for more than fifty years. Those are: the destruction of hundreds of homes, thousands of mature trees, historic structures, displaced families, loss of local housing stock, decades of construction delays and dust, loss of significant property tax revenues, and the pollution of thousands of cars next to our High School.

What are your priorities in dealing with Caltrans over the next four years? (e.g., what policies do you recommend: a) To assure that a surface freeway will never be built To aggressively push them to acknowledge a surface freeway will never win environmentally, never win in the public arena. Further, to help relieve its role as reluctant landlord by selling the assets; this would put hundreds of millions of dollars into needed public projects. b) In getting hundreds of Caltrans owned homes in South Pasadena sold (and to whom and at what price?) Same as a) above, sold at market value to private owners. This will ensure a complete and timely restoration of our neighborhoods which have been held hostage for thirty years. I support those residents who have a legal right to purchase these properties. I made a motion at a council meeting that we as a council support them, but to date, no other council member has stepped forward to back my proposal.

c) Regarding the proposed tunnel alternative. To actively participate in committees, and in studies that explore, investigate, assess, critique and prepare for a tunnel project. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. To do any less would be irresponsible and put our city at a disadvantage in communicating our needs and concerns.
2. What do you believe regarding positive and negative effects on quality of life of a 710 Tunnel under South Pasadena? Positives: Hundreds of thousands of cars would be removed from our streets each week; less pollution in our city and near our two biggest schools; a safer, more walkable, bikeable, and liveable community. Possible Negatives: poor construction, poor route (like to Glendale), poor design that doesn't remove traffic from our streets. Air quality negatives must be addressed by ensuring the best clean air scrubbing technology is used. We need to participate in the project early on and throughout the process to ensure we protect our city and maximize the benefits while mitigating the negatives.