Local News in Brief : Last-Ditch Bid to Kill Freeway Proposal
The South Pasadena City Council has begun a last-ditch campaign against the proposed Long Beach Freeway extension by hiring a Sacramento-based lobbying firm. “It’s time to get a little big-league help,” Councilwoman Evelyn Fierro said.
Caltrans is expecting quick approval by both the Federal Highway Administration and the California Transportation Commission for its final environmental impact statement on the proposed final 6.2-mile freeway link. Then, the California Department of Transportation would prepare final plans for the project, with demolition of about 1,400 homes just two years down the road.
The state agency proposes to connect the Long Beach Freeway with the Pasadena and Foothill freeways by running an eight-lane corridor through El Sereno and downtown South Pasadena.
The city of 24,000 will pay the firm of Ochoa & Sillas $4,000 a month to mount political pressure against the freeway link. Senior partner Ralph Ochoa was the chief of staff for former Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy, now lieutenant governor.
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