DPNA Takes A Stand on 710 Extension

Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA) has officially taken a stand on the proposed 710 Freeway extension. DPNA members voted to oppose a tunnel connecting the 710 Freeway to the 210 Freeway.

Here’s the exact resolution:

The Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA) is opposed to Metro’s proposal to build a freeway tunnel extension of SR-710. The DPNA believes that tax dollars & public effort should be primarily directed toward Greater Los Angeles’ light and heavy rail, subway, bus, bike, & pedestrian transportation systems, not new highways.

The proposed tunnel connecting the 710 Freeway to Pasadena can be a health hazard according to Dr. John Seinfeld, a Caltech professor and a leading smog scientist and asthma researcher. Dr. Seinfeld has studied air pollutants for decades. He warns:

Those of us in the area of air quality have long considered the 710 freeway to be arguably the dirtiest freeway in the country. That really is a function of the heavy-duty truck traffic on the freeway.

Prof. Rob McConnell, a USC professor of preventive medicine, states that 21,000 cases of asthma in Los Angeles County can be attributed to children living or attending school near a major roadway. He also points out the fact that abnormally low lung function is five times more likely in a community with high levels of pollutants.

DPNA has remained quiet in the debate over the 710 extension until their last meeting on Nov. 21st where they took an official stand to oppose the proposed extension.

Kudos to DPNA. They are the latest to join a growing list of many organizations and cities that officially oppose the 710 extension.

A 4.5-mile tunnel connecting the 710 to the Foothill (210) Freeway in Pasadena is one of five alternatives the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering to ease traffic in the region. Other alternatives include a light rail line and street improvements.