IRVINE : Street’s Inclusion in Tollway Fought

Opponents of plans to include part of Newport Coast Drive within the planned San Joaquin Hills toll road say they will take their fight to the City Council.

City leaders are being urged to oppose construction of the so-called toll-free bypass route, which opponents say would clear the way to make 1 1/2 miles of Newport Coast Drive part of the toll road.

“We will encourage the council to adopt a no-build alternative,” said attorney Jim Toledano, who represents the Newport Coast Drive Defense Fund. The group has filed a lawsuit against plans to put toll booths on the 1 1/2-mile section of Newport Coast Drive.

About 250 community members last week packed an Irvine Planning Commission meeting, where residents of the city’s Turtle Rock Village debated UC Irvine residents over two proposed bypass routes. Residents of each community fear increased traffic and noise from the proposed routes.

Planning commissioners voted 4 to 1 in favor of a bypass route--”for planning purposes only”--that runs closer to the campus. The recommendation is expected to come before the City Council for approval March 28. But all five commissioners made it clear they would prefer that no bypass route be built. They also recommended a conditional “no-build” alternative to council members.

“The whole notion of building this road is really stupid,” said Planning Commissioner Will Swaim at last week’s meeting, receiving loud applause from community members.

But Swaim and other city leaders say they are being forced by county officials to approve a bypass route under the threat of losing Measure M transportation funds. City officials estimate the loss would average $1.5 million a year.