Prospects of building 710 Freeway extension

Re “Tunnel Plans Unveiled for Finishing 710 Freeway,” June 14, and “Tunnel visions,” editorial, June 15

I marvel at the fantasy world of Doug Failing of Caltrans, Roger Snoble of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and The Times. Obviously they have no knowledge of or are simply ignoring the 50-year, rocky-road history of the 710 Freeway extension.

To think this project could be built in their lifetimes, or their children’s for that matter, is laughable.There are no state or federal approvals; a completely new environmental impact report would have to be produced; and a clearly reliable funding source would have to be found for a multibillion-dollar project ($3 billion in 2006 dollars -- the sky’s the limit in 10 or 20 years).

There are more worthy, approved transportation projects for the region lined up waiting for funding. Let’s hope our transportation officials see the light and start acting responsibly and stop chasing pie-in-the-sky ideas.

MARIE KISTEN

Pasadena

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We all agree that a very expensive tunnel in South Pasadena needs to be built to accommodate one community that has abused the legal system to subvert the greater transportation needs of California.

Yet those advocating for another expensive tunnel, the Wilshire Boulevard subway, have to beg and claw its way into existence even though it would serve as many if not more commuters than the South Pasadena tunnel.

Like it or not, the cheaper option for the extension of the 710 has always been on the surface (like every other freeway), and those living in South Pasadena have imposed a double standard that we now have to pay for.

Perhaps one innovative funding mechanism would be to install toll booths at every road used by South Pasadenans to access our freeway system ... say, $10 a pop until we get those extra billions?

Meanwhile, I hope our Wilshire Boulevard and downtown connector subways (which have no viable surface alternative) are prioritized before this boondoggle; those are long-overdue tunnels that really would benefit the entire region.

KENNETH S. ALPERN

Los Angeles