Local News in Brief : Countywide : Decision Delayed on Corridor Proposals

The Eastern/Foothill Transportation Corridor Agency voted unanimously Thursday to delay a decision on eastern corridor route proposals until its staff has reviewed recommendations by the cities of Tustin, Orange and Irvine.

Under the cities’ recommendations, the corridor would extend south from the Riverside Freeway and split into two legs, each of which would connect with the Santa Ana Freeway. The eastern leg would join the Santa Ana Freeway at the Laguna Freeway, and the western leg would merge with a planned extension of Jamboree Boulevard.

The Tustin, Orange and Irvine city councils have approved the plan, but each added its own specifications. Board members said they needed time to study those specifications--and to review concerns of area homeowners--before designating a preferred route for purposes of an environmental impact report.

“I still think it’s too soon to do more than receive it and file and ask for staff action,” said Anaheim Mayor Ben Bay, who represents his city on the corridor agency, a consortium of 10 cities.

The mayors of Tustin and Orange said they did not see the delay as a setback.