HomeMy Public PortalAbout15) 10A 710 Coalition Support RequestAGENDA
ITEM 1 O.A.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 3, 2014
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Donald E. Penman, Interim City Manage~
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE 710 COALITION
REGARDING THE COMPLETION OF THE SR-710 TUNNEL
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council consider the request of a support letter from the 710
Coalition regarding the completion of the 71 0 tunnel to connect the 10, 210 and 11 0
freeways and direct staff as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
1. In May, 2014, staff received a request from the 710 Coalition for City Council to
submit a letter in support of the 710 tunnel to close the 4.5 mile gap in the region's
freeways.
ANALYSIS:
The 710 Coalition is made up of San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County cities (i.e.,
Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Cudahy and Downey),
residents, organizations (i.e., Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, Alhambra Unified
School District, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, San Gabriel Valley
Economic Partnership, Southern California Association of Governments, San Gabriel
Unified School District; and Garvey School District) and businesses determined to see
the 710 Freeway completed and a tunnel built as soon as possible.
As per the 710 Coalition, twenty .percent of the Los Angeles County population lives in
the San Gabriel Valley and in the east/northeast of Los Angeles. There is no North and
South freeway to connect the 10, the 210 and the 110. If the 710 gap is not closed by a
new tunnel, then major traffic arteries between the 210 and 10 Freeways will have at
least 10,000 more vehicles on them every day by 2015. Gridlock on surface streets
brings major environment and public safety risks to the local communities in the San
Gabriel Valley. With the completion of 710 Freeway and close of the gap, traffic can
improve for the entire region.
City Council
June 3, 2014
Page 2 of 2
However, there are also a number of local cities that have expressed concerns
regarding the proposed tunnel extension of the 710 Freeway (i.e., South Pasadena, La
Canada, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Glendale). Some of their concerns include
impact on air quality the tunnel would have, and the expected increase in traffic on the
210 Freeway that providing access via the tunnel would cause. More specifically, some
anticipate an increase in emissions at the mouths of tunnels, and increase of truck
traffic.
The 710 Coalition is requesting a support letter from City Council regarding the
completion of the 710 Freeway and tunnel as soon as possible.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended the City Council consider the request from the 710 Coalition and
direct staff as deemed appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item does not have an impact on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 City Budget.
ATTACHMENT:
A. Sample Support letter from 710 Coalition
ATTACHMENT A
***CITY LETTERHEAD***
DATE by email: 71 Ocoalition@gmail.com
Dear 710 Coalition Members:
liThe City of strongly support(_s) the 710 Coalition's effort to complete the
710 and close the 4.5-mile gap in our region's freeways as soon as possible. It's time to
end gridlock, create jobs, and do what a supermajority of Los Angeles County voters
want. Because it is a major north/south connector, building the 710 tunnel is the
solution!
For far too long, residents of our communities have experienced unnecessary traffic
congestion. 1/We support the 710 tunnel because it will reduce cut through traffic in
local neighborhoods and connect the freeways in our region for shorter commutes.
Improved regional transportation is why Uthe City of strongly support(s) the
710 tunnel and the 710 Coalition's efforts to make this vital project a reality.
Sincerely,
NAME
TITLE
CITY of _____ ____;