Countywide : Toll Road Foes Plan Protest Rally Sunday

Protesters are expected to turn out Sunday for a rally against toll roads planned for the San Joaquin Hills, Eastern and Foothill transportation corridors.

The demonstration, co-sponsored by Citizens Against The Tollroads, will begin at 1 p.m. at the southwest corner of Campus and University drives on the UC Irvine campus.

“We expect our campaign to succeed because it appeals to Orange County citizens for a number of reasons,” said Judy Davis, spokeswoman for the group.

Davis said the toll roads will cause deterioration in the coastal and foothill environment by destroying native habitats and increasing pollution from automobile emissions.

She also charged that the economic viability of the toll road projects is uncertain and that the toll roads are designed to satisfy future development rather than the needs of Orange County residents today.

The end result, Davis said, is that the projects will cause a deterioration in the lives and wealth of county residents.

Davis said that “much more attractive win-win solutions are available and are being publicly considered,” such as an automated, elevated rail system and freeway widening.

The citizens’ group on Thursday launched a major newspaper advertising campaign to boost attendance at the rally, featuring full-page ads attacking the tollway authority as not responsible to anyone, even though its board of directors consists of city and county elected officials. The group refused to identify donors footing the bill.

“If a politician did that, you’d be all over his case,” tollway spokesman Mike Stockstill protested.

“We’re educational, not political,” countered Davis.

Rally organizers said they expect the demonstration to draw up to 5,000 participants. The event will feature political and community leaders, scientists, and entertainment and information booths. The event is co-sponsored by Student Activists for the Environment.

Admission is free and parking is $2 per car.