Wilson Signs Law Eliminating Need for South Pasadena to OK Freeway
Gov. Pete Wilson removed another major obstacle to the long-delayed Long Beach Freeway extension Friday by signing a bill that eliminates the need for South Pasadena to approve the eight-lane highway’s passage through the city.
For nearly four decades, the San Gabriel Valley city has refused to approve the extension linking the San Bernardino and Foothill freeways because it would split its city in half, threaten 1,000 homes and 6,000 trees.
As expected, Wilson signed the bill into law Friday evening.
But in a move to calm fears of historic preservationists, Wilson said he would direct Caltrans “to fully comply with all federal and state statutes, regulations and executive orders regarding the consideration of cultural and natural resources.” There are many historic houses along the route.
The legislation comes two weeks after the California Transportation Commission gave final state approval to the project. The Federal Highway Administration must still approve the $670-million project before it can go forward.
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