Panel Tours Route of Freeway Extension

Opponents and supporters of the proposed Long Beach Freeway extension descended on the Pasadena City Council chambers Thursday to testify to an independent federal panel that can challenge federal approval of the project.

A four-member panel from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation toured the route for the $1.4-billion roadway that would cut through Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno before hearing from both sides.

Preservationists and environmentalists from across the region warned the panel that the project, which calls for the elimination of more than 750 homes in the freeway’s path, will damage the integrity of some of Los Angeles County’s most historic neighborhoods. They argued that plans to mitigate its effects were inadequate.

“This sets an unfortunate precedent in historic mitigation,” said Ann Scheid, an architectural historian of the grass-roots No 710 Coalition.

But Alhambra Mayor Barbara Messina and other freeway supporters said planners have done everything possible to preserve the community.

The Federal Highway Administration approved the expansion late last year. But the agency cannot formally sign off on the roadway until the advisory council reviews the matter.