Alternative Funds for Freeways to Be Mulled

The use of tolls to complete financing of the Foothill, Eastern and San Joaquin Hills transportation corridors may move a step closer to reality Thursday when two agencies overseeing the projects are expected to determine that there are no alternative sources of funding for the $1.3-billion cost of the projects.

Under recent federal legislation, all three of the new freeways--scheduled for construction in the 1990s--could become toll roads. State law, however, requires that other funding options be exhausted before tolls could be imposed.

Based on a study showing that neither state nor federal funds are available to pay for the freeways, board members of the two corridor agencies Thursday will consider resolutions declaring that the cost of the projectscannot be borne by existing funding sources.

Together, the three corridors are expected to cost at least $1.3 billion. Recently, the state targeted about $35 million for the San Joaquin Hills project, and the projects have become eligible for up to 35% of the construction cost in federal funds if the freeways are built as toll roads, although there is no guarantee the money actually will be appropriated.

The board of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Santa Ana City Council chambers, followed by the meeting of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency at 10:30 a.m. in the same chambers.