Bypass Illustrates Council Reversal
On March 26, the Irvine City Council voted 4 to 1 (Paula Werner dissenting) to approve construction of the 1.5-mile bypass/extension of Newport Coast Drive, which will cost taxpayers $10 million (“Tollway Bypass Wins Council Approval,” March 28).
Many citizens had requested that the city delay its decision until after a lawsuit challenging the inclusion of Newport Coast Drive in the San Joaquin Hills toll road is heard by the Orange County Superior Court in September. If the court finds that the tolling of Newport Coast Drive is illegal (a very distinct possibility), the bypass is no longer needed and a wasteful expenditure of tax dollars can be avoided.
In its letter of April 13, 1995, to the Orange County Transportation Authority, the entire City Council stated: “We believe that the traffic demand does not show a need for this roadway. We are having an extremely difficult time with suggesting a roadway that serves a very small traffic segment and one that is generally opposed by UCI, the University Hills residents and the Traffic Coordinating Council of the Turtle Rock homeowners. . . . In conclusion, our efforts should be concentrated on building roads that are needed.”
Over the last year I have observed an unfortunate process whereby the county, the Transportation Corridor Agencies and the OCTA have successfully pressured council members (with the exception of Werner) into abandoning their earlier convictions.
DAVID L. SANNER
Newport Beach
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