Foes of Freeway Extension Praise Ruling

While no one Thursday would declare the proposed Long Beach Freeway extension dead, opponents were jubilant that the momentum is now on their side for the first time in recent years.

In South Pasadena, which has fought the freeway for more than three decades, city leaders celebrated a federal judge’s tentative ruling Wednesday that he intends to grant a preliminary injunction barring construction of the extension and purchase of homes. A final ruling is expected after a July 2 hearing.

“This is a significant change in momentum. We have never given up hope, said David Saeta, mayor of South Pasadena, which filed a lawsuit almost a year ago to block the project.

Caltrans officials said the ruling, if finalized, may prove a setback for the agency’s plans to close the gap between the San Bernardino and Foothill freeways, but that their side could still prevail.

U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson wrote that Caltrans and the U.S. Department of Transportation failed to adequately consider South Pasadena’s proposed alternative, which calls for improvements to help traffic flow on surface streets and completion of the Pasadena Blue Line.

South Pasadena’s attorney, Antonio Rossmann, said that although the legal battle remains far from over, the judge’s announcement means that the eventual trial is likely to favor the city.

In his ruling, Pregerson said the agencies must conduct a further study to show that the benefits to traffic flow outweigh the damage to air quality and historic neighborhoods. The freeway would destroy 900 homes and 6,000 trees.

Caltrans officials said they expect a more favorable ruling after the July hearing. “To say the alternative was not given a fair shake would be outrageous,” said Caltrans attorney Glenn Mueller.

In Alhambra, where officials favor the freeway extension, city officials said the project remains on track because the judge did not prevent design work and planning.