Freeway Fences

A recent article on plans to erect a fence along the I-5 median in San Ysidro misattributed to me remarks about how well Caltrans’ public awareness campaign is working (“Fence to Replace Wide Median at I-5 Near Border,” Aug. 31). Seven deaths there plus two near the San Onofre checkpoint since January is hardly heartening news. Only a body count of zero would be.

Much remains to be done on both sides of the border to warn immigrants off our fast lanes and alert motorists about the foot traffic. A rise in weary and bewildered women and children who brave freeways to join newly legalized husbands and fathers calls for redoubling these efforts. Among other things, installing long-pleaded-for overhead flashing messages should not be put off.

Like it or not, the motorists’ part of this deadly formula is a more controllable one. Sadly, state agencies involved keep underestimating “la necesidad” which propels immigrants from south of the border to take such big risks. Instead of concentrating on lighting the danger zones and on slowing cars (averaging at least 63 m.p.h. by the border and over 70 m.p.h. by the checkpoint), Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol have settled on 10-foot-tall center dividers as their chief response.

Even if well maintained and unclimbable, these fences aren’t likely to stop the desperate dashes, and may make the trip north riskier.

Near San Onofre, some people will resort to the turnarounds for emergency vehicles. Others will walk around the proposed 8-mile stretch and--more exhausted still--catch northbound rides by negotiating another eight lanes of speeders.

In San Ysidro, where the fence is to run 3 miles, the immigrants can try to circumvent it or cross at other points. Those diverted to Otay Mesa will have to traverse Canon Zapata, of border-bandit fame, and run across Interstate 905, a major east-west route where nighttime visibility is poor. Not surprisingly, given that the Border Patrol is the fences’ staunchest proponent, arresting aliens is far easier in this area.

Yet others will take their chances with the night tides. Immigrant drownings around Border Park are already not uncommon. In this connection, probably the most cockamamie idea to be offered by Caltrans is erecting barriers perpendicular to Interstate 5. Touted in a recently released report for their “minimal visual impact,” they would extend from the southbound lanes all the way to San Ysidro and San Onofre beaches. The prospect is appalling

All and all, another fence or two (or four) is not the answer.

CLAUDIA E. SMITH, Regional Counsel, California Rural Legal Assistance