Army Engineers Shift Stance on Toll Road

A federal agency this week changed its stance on the controversial Foothill South toll road, saying it acknowledges that Interstate 5 in South County will experience traffic problems.

The Army Corps of Engineers says in a letter that it concurs with the so-called “purpose and need” for the proposed highway, a required step in the federal review of the road’s environmental impact.

But the corps does not endorse the toll road outright in its letter, saying instead that other options may be less damaging to the environment.

In a major debate, environmentalists and some federal officials are questioning the need for the proposed $644-million road, which would connect Oso Parkway with Interstate 5.

Some conservationists say it would seriously damage one of the most pristine wildlife areas remaining in the county.

A toll road agency spokeswoman said she was glad the corps has altered its stance.

“It’s an important step to identify that there is going to be a future problem on I-5,” said Lisa Telles of the Transportation Corridor Agencies. “Something needs to be done to assure we don’t have gridlock through that part of the county.”

While the corps concurs that congestion is in the offing, it questions some traffic projections and urges study of alternatives to a new highway.

“In fact, we believe we may be able to fix the problems without building a new road,” said Eric Stein, the corps’ senior project manager for the proposed toll road project.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awaiting the results of a traffic study before deciding whether it agrees that the road is needed.