Martinez Drafting Bill for Freeway Link
Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Rosemead), following in the footsteps of her father, current U.S. Rep. Matthew G. Martinez (D-Monterey Park), said she is drafting legislation to push the extension of the Long Beach Freeway (710) through South Pasadena without the city’s approval.
Last month, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Earl Warren Jr., son of the former governor who originally backed the roadway, declared that 1982 legislation by then-state Assemblyman Matthew Martinez to that effect is no longer valid.
The assemblywoman said that if an appeal of Warren’s decision is not successful, she will be ready to present her bill in January, when the Assembly goes back into session.
“I will absolutely support the city of Alhambra and all the region’s cities in their fight for the freeway,” she said. Alhambra asserts that the freeway would reduce traffic on its streets.
South Pasadena is one of four cities on the proposed route that would run north from the San Bernardino Freeway (10) to the Foothill Freeway (210). Pasadena, Alhambra and Los Angeles already have agreed to the roadway.
Warren said Caltrans must get South Pasadena’s approval for the 6.2-mile freeway extension.
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