Readers Take Issue With Freeway Link as a Solution

South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Fierro’s letter in The Times (Aug. 3) needs to be questioned because of some facts and figures she presented. Fierro stated: “The completion of the 710 Freeway will not . . . substantially relieve any traffic problems.”

Recent transportation studies indicate the 710 will operate with “severe congestion” the day it is completed. Current estimates put the number of cars at 180,000 per day. Taking 180,000 cars a day off other transportation arteries and onto the freeway should be viewed as a substantial reduction for people affected by the freeway runoff at the two 710 stubs. Traffic on Fremont Avenue will be reduced more than 50%.

Fierro continues: “Caltrans will tell you the cost is $425 million . . . . It’s basing its numbers on ancient history.” Researching “ancient history” produced the following information:

* A Caltrans environmental impact statement (circa 1976) estimated the total cost for an eight-lane freeway at $145.5 to $223.4 million.

* A Caltrans second draft (environmental impact statement) (circa 1983) had increased the cost almost 100% to $442.6 million.

* Three years later (1986) the third draft (environmental impact statement) came out and predicted the total cost for completing the 710 would be $425.5 million, a $17.1-million reduction from the 1983 estimate. Could this be possible?

Over the past year real estate values in South Pasadena have increased 41%. The cost for right-of-way purchases should reflect this increase.

In my opinion, both South Pasadena and Caltrans have been engaged in a prolonged propaganda war at the public’s expense. To paraphrase “Dragnet’s” Sgt. Joe Friday, both entities should “just give us the facts!”

ROBERT O. COOK

South Pasadena