OCTA Was Wise to Shelve CenterLine

* We applaud Orange County Transportation Authority director Todd Spitzer and Chief Executive Arthur Leahy for a wise decision in sidetracking the light rail effort.

Let’s hope this is not just a strategy, and that OCTA will now have the further wisdom to redirect its attention and resources to continuing the highly productive effort started 10 years ago to restore the adequacy of our roads and freeway system, rather than trying to resurrect the CenterLine.

JACK MALLINCKRODT

Santa Ana

* OCTA’s recent decision to delay engineering plans for the CenterLine should have been a vote to abandon the wasteful, outdated electric trolley cars destined to destroy the suburban quality of life in any neighborhood they cross.

If OCTA genuinely desired to responsibly administer the voter-approved Measure M sales tax funds, it would initiate a rail system within “existing rail right-of-way” as called for in the 1990 ballot measure, and not one that zigzags through quiet neighborhoods, over tree-lined parkways, near schools, parks and open space.

Then, maybe OCTA officials could receive the support they say they seek.

JOHN KLEINPETER

Irvine