Alhambra Loses Round in Court on Freeway Extension

A federal judge tentatively denied Alhambra’s request Thursday to join the federal government in defending a lawsuit filed by South Pasadena seeking to block construction of the Long Beach Freeway extension.

U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson, after hearing arguments from Alhambra’s attorney, said he would issue a final ruling later.

South Pasadena for decades has stalled construction of the 6.2-mile freeway, which would slice through its community, as well as Pasadena and the Eastside.

But neighboring Alhambra, where much of the commuter traffic now flows, has championed the roadway’s completion as a way to ease congestion.

Alhambra attorney Stephen R. Onstot told the court Thursday that the city should be able to intervene in the lawsuit because the federal government cannot be relied upon to protect the interests of the city.

“The existing defendants don’t have an interest in moving forward,” Onstot said. Noting that the government has taken morethan 30 years to give its approval, he said, Alhambra plans to file complaints against the government for not aggressively pursuing the project.

South Pasadena and preservation groups filed the lawsuit in August, alleging that the U.S. Department of Transportation violated environmental laws in giving formal approval to the project last year. The city is seeking a preliminary injunction.

Federal attorneys told the judge that the government is committed to completing the freeway.

Antonio Rossmann, South Pasadena’s lawyer, added “If Alhambra gets in the door . . . it will be the tail wagging the dog.”