Bigger Freeways and Cleaner Air?

Planners for the Southern California Assn. of Governments want to expand the 101 Freeway, citing their concern for our air quality (“Freeway Expansion Revisited,” Aug. 12). Please tell me how billions of dollars spent paving over more of Los Angeles to increase traffic will improve our air quality. If they really wanted to reduce emissions to lock in federal funding they would work to ban SUVs. They would require all freight into L.A. to arrive by rail, not 18-wheelers.

How can they reduce emissions while supersizing the freeway? When they decide to squeeze another lane onto the 101 Freeway, how will all the Hummer H2s and Lincoln Navigators fit? Another case of smog and mirrors, folks.

Nancy Kaleel

Sherman Oaks