Corridor Alignment Is Best Solution

* As a managing principal at UMA Engineering, I felt it important to set the record straight regarding an article (“Group Fails to Win Change in Toll Road,” Jan. 15) with respect to the development of alignment alternatives for the connection of the future San Joaquin Hills Corridor to I-5. In this article, UMA Engineering is described as “tainted” by Bob King, spokesman for the SOS group, due to the fact that UMA had previously worked for the Transportation Corridor Agency.

I can assure Mr. King that the engineers at UMA do not and will not sell their integrity for any client. We, as engineers, have a great respect for our profession and I find it personally offensive to be accused of selling out. Furthermore, in my many years of professional experience, I have never seen a city bend over backward more for their citizenry than (San Juan Capistrano director of engineering and building) Bill Huber and his staff have in searching, in complete good faith, for a more viable alignment alternative.

We at UMA worked diligently, along with city staff, to evaluate any and all possible alternatives to the current alignment with the final result being that the alignment, as proposed, is simply the best solution considering all of the constraints in the area.

RICK KREUZER

UMA Engineering Inc., Irvine