Metro Staff recommends no further action on 710 routes through San Rafael

23 Aug

Metro staff has issued a recommendation that the H-2 (Avenue 64 highway) and F-5 (San Rafael freeway tunnel) routes be eliminated from further study. The recommendation also will eliminate all other highway and freeway routes EXCEPT the “F-7” tunnel running from Alhambra to Pasadena (emerging near Huntington Hospital). Thus, per the staff’s recommendation, no freeways or highways would be built in the San Rafael neighborhood, Garvanza, or along Avenue 64.

 Please note that these are staff recommendations only. Although we hope that Metro’s leaders will accept the recommendation, we understand that the decision will not be made for at least another week, and perhaps not until the next Metro board meeting on September 27. This is an important step, but it is not the final one, and it only partially addresses our important goal of eliminating all freeway and highway threats from Pasadena.

 YOUR EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, NO 710 SIGNS, AND PARTICIPATION AT MEETINGS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!  

 WHEN NEIGHBORHOODS SPEAK WITH A STRONG VOICE, OUR ELECTED LEADERS HAVE TO LISTEN.  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY!

 We obviously are very pleased that Metro staff has recognized (in its own words) that H-2, F-5, and the other rejected freeway/highway routes: “are the low performing and/or most environmentally damaging alternatives as analyzed using the Study’s Purpose and Need, objectives and established performance measures.  Therefore, further evaluation of these alternatives is not merited.”  We hope that Metro’s leaders agree.

 We also continue to believe that Metro should reject all freeway, freeway expansion, and highway proposals that would bring more traffic, trucks, and pollution into Pasadena and the surrounding communities. We remain committed to the protection of all of our neighbors in Pasadena, and stand in solidarity with all neighborhoods that face the needless destruction of homes, businesses, and important cultural and historical landmarks.

 Please continue to write Metro and your elected officials, telling them that:

 (1) They should support the Metro staff’s recommendation to reject the H-2 and F-5 routes, and

 (2) You remain opposed to the further consideration of any multi-billion dollar freeway, freeway expansion, or highway alternatives that will bring more traffic, trucks, and pollution into Pasadena and our surrounding communities.

 We must continue to work until Metro adopts responsible, cost-effective transportation solutions for Pasadena and the region.  

 Together, we will make a difference!

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