If you haven ever driven North on the 710 (Long Beach Freeway) you will find that find that is stops at Valley Blvd in Alhambra. You have to exit. For over forty years the residents of South Pasadena have stopped completion of the 710 through Pasadena by filing lawsuits, declaring homes as historic landmarks and punishing local politicians. Neighboring cities and business interests don’t like that fact. However, the intensity is on South Pasadena’s side. You can see a good quick rundown on that history here.
In an attempt to get around this problem, my buddy Gil Cedillo has introduced legislation to build a tunnel. You can my FR post on that here.
Now the supporters of finishing the freeway are trying to get a piece of Arnold’s $222 billion. See full story here.
These kinds of local fights will happen all over California. If the 710 is included South Pasadena will vote no. How do local legislators react? Will there be other projects that environmentalists oppose?
I guess there is plenty of money to spread around. But, at what point does that collapse the "reform and rebuild" part of it.
BTW: Never bet against the South Pasadena opponents of the 710. They’ve stopped it for 40 years. My guess another 40 won’t be too hard.