Lesser Bridges Over Canyon Road Possible

After years of bitter haggling with Laguna Beach, county toll road officials agreed Thursday to consider downsizing the tollway bridges that would span Laguna Canyon.

By a 7-3 vote, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency board halted design work on four planned bridges, each at a different height, across Laguna Canyon Road and the environmentally sensitive Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Instead, the board will consider a two-bridge design, with both bridges at the same height, to reduce the visual impact of the controversial, $1.1-billion tollway.

But a decision on a final package of cosmetic and environmental changes was postponed a month to refine cost estimates and find the funding needed to pay for the changes.

A $3-million option under consideration would provide architectural finishes for bridge pillars and graded berms and landscaping to camouflage the toll road as much as possible on canyon hillsides.

A $10-million proposal would add an arch design for the bridges, among other amenities, and provide more space in the wilderness park below for pedestrian hiking and animal migration.

The existing, four-bridge design has already cost the agency $775,000.

Laguna Beach City Councilman Robert F. Gentry was pleased by the tollway board’s decision.

“Given the history of our relationship, I think that’s progress,” Gentry said. “I applaud the agency for being open to alternatives and not closing the door to discussion.”

Three tollway board members--council members Peter F. Buffa of Costa Mesa, Eileen Krause of Dana Point and Sharon Cody of Mission Viejo--argued that the plan is too vague without knowing who will pay for the changes.

Cody said it was wrong to hold out “false hopes,” especially for the $10-million option.

Krause suggested that any decision would be premature until the city of Laguna Beach or other public agencies are asked to contribute money.

But the majority argued that the battle over this interchange had gone on too long already and that it was time to act.

Laguna Beach’s Gentry wouldn’t rule out a city effort to raise money for the project.

“I have no idea where Laguna Beach would get the money,” he said, “but I know the city would consider putting up some of it.”

Less than 24 hours before Thursday’s meeting, the entire Laguna Beach City Council signed a conciliatory letter to tollway officials expressing “our appreciation for these efforts to enhance the appearance and functioning of the toll road in Laguna Canyon.”

The letter also asked for resumption of talks between city representatives and tollway officials over the interchange design--discussions that were ended by tollway officials who claimed that Laguna Beach was after changes that were too sweeping.

Tollway officials said they don’t know yet whether the agency will reconvene negotiations.

Laguna Beach officials and residents have spearheaded opposition to the road since it was first proposed as a freeway in the early 1970s. The city has steadfastly refused to join the tollway agency board, which consists of county supervisors and council members from cities along the 17.5-mile route.

Due to open in 1996, the tollway will extend California 73 from the Corona del Mar Freeway at MacArthur Boulevard in Newport Beach to Interstate 5 near San Juan Capistrano.

Proponents and critics of the tollway both spoke at Thursday’s board meeting, with feelings unchanged as a result of the vote on the Laguna Canyon interchange.

George Gallagher of Citizens Against the Tollroads accused the tollway board of ignoring public sentiment against the projects. “You have held public meetings but have ignored the public comment for many years,” Gallagher told board members. “You’re pushing the outside of the envelope.”

After the meeting, Gallagher said, “The only acceptable option is to scrap the toll roads in favor of light rail.”

Judy Davis, also of Citizens Against the Tollroads, said that public criticism of the project contributed to the tollway board’s decision Thursday. “Would they would have done this,” Davis asked, “if we weren’t here?”

Davis and others sought creation of a citizens’ oversight committee, but tollway board members said their projects are already the most heavily scrutinized highway projects in California, if not the world.

While anti-toll road activists focused on the San Joaquin Hills project, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor board on Thursday also set toll prices for the first 3.5-mile segment of the Foothill tollway, due to open in October.

Tolls will be 50 cents for cars and motorcycles on the first section of the 30-mile road. The largest trucks will be charged $1.80.