Suit Over Freeway May Proceed, Judge Rules

A federal judge has ruled that Alhambra can continue to pursue a lawsuit against the federal government for allegedly causing congestion and traffic deaths by delaying construction of the proposed Long Beach Freeway extension.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson has denied a request to dismiss the case by the Clinton administration, which said the city could not sue because freeway construction is optional, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Wilson set a Nov. 3 trial date.

The 6.2-mile extension through Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno would link the northbound Long Beach Freeway to the Foothill Freeway. At present traffic on the same route flows through Alhambra’s streets.

“The city is very pleased with Judge Wilson’s ruling,” said Alhambra City Atty. Leland Dolley. “We think that we will finally have our day in court. This delay has been unreasonable.”

The state Transportation Commission approved the project in 1994, about 30 years after it was conceived. Since then the proposal has sat on the desk of the federal highway administrator, who must approve the route’s environmental impact report before any construction can be considered. That delay led to Alhambra’s suit.