Tollway Foes See Bankruptcy as Stop Sign : Protest: The 125 people in sunset observance say the planned route through Laguna Canyon should scrapped because of county's fiscal woes.

Tollway Foes See Bankruptcy as Stop Sign : Protest: The 125 people in sunset observance say the planned route through Laguna Canyon should scrapped because of county’s fiscal woes.

By LESLIE EARNEST and THAO HUA

Dec. 17, 1994 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITERS

LAGUNA BEACH —

About 125 people lit candles at sunset Friday in hopes that the county’s bankruptcy means the end of the day also is near for plans to build a toll road through the scenic Laguna Canyon.

Opponents of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor gathered about 5:30 p.m. at Pacific Coast Highway and Broadway for a vigil to send a message to the County Board of Supervisors.

The road “was a preposterous idea to begin with,” said Joy Borzellino of Aliso Viejo, “but now, (the bankruptcy) makes it even more ludicrous.”

But authorities from the Transportation Corridor Agencies, which is in charge of building three Orange County toll roads including the San Joaquin Hills corridor, said earlier this week that work will begin as planned in the first week of January.

The 17-mile corridor that will link Newport Beach and San Juan Capistrano is needed, Agency spokeswoman Lisa Telles said.

“We’re committed to completing the project,” she said.

Opponents of the toll road say they believe that commitment will wane as money is needed elsewhere in the county. About a third of the agency’s funding, or $311.4 million, is tied up in the county’s frozen investment portfolio. As of Friday, it was still unclear who will pay for the estimated $2.02-billion loss.

“I think (the bankruptcy) gives them a chance to re-evaluate priorities,” said Julie Garner of Garden Grove, “and the toll road should be at the bottom.”

Toll road opponents contend it is only logical for schools and other public services to be funded before money is allocated for the controversial roadway, which cuts through Laguna Canyon and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. And although they didn’t want to see the county become the largest municipal district to declare bankruptcy, they’re glad to see the prospect of a toll road dim a little.

Said opponent Max Brown, “This is the only positive side effect.”