Tunnel opposition premature, officials say

GLENDALE — Despite City Councilman Ara Najarian’s early public opposition to the proposed underground extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway, state officials are stressing that it’s too early to pass judgment.

Concerns about increased traffic, noise, pollution and other potential effects of the proposed tunnel connecting the 710 and Foothill (210) freeways in Pasadena may already be here, but it’s too early let them affect the consideration of the project at such a nascent stage, said Doug Failing, director of California Department of Transportation’s local District 7.

All potential negative impacts would be addressed in an environmental study, which has not yet been created, he added.

“We haven’t done the research and necessary studies to answer those questions,” Failing said Friday.

Larry Zarian, a former Glendale mayor and current member of the California Transportation Commission, which also plays a major oversight role for any potential tunnel, joined Failing in emphasizing that the project was too young to judge.

“Until I have all of the information, it is very difficult for me to say whether the 710 Freeway is going to negatively impact Glendale or La Crescenta,” he said. “It would not be fair to myself or the community to take a stand now.”

State Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, who represents the east Los Angeles area and strongly supports the tunnel as a way to address traffic problems in the region, agreed it is too early to pass judgment based on unknown potential impacts, his spokeswoman Christy Wolfe said.

Cedillo sponsored a bill that unanimously passed the Senate on Tuesday requiring any extension of the 710 Freeway to be underground, thus eliminating the similarly controversial surface option. The state Assembly has yet to vote on the bill.

“The traffic congestion is such an issue of concern for the entire region,” Wolfe said. “We need to work together for a solution that preserves the quality of life for the affected communities, while at the same addressing the traffic issue.”

But for Najarian — who is due to soon take over as chairman of the powerful Los Angeles County Transportation Authority, which would have oversight over the tunnel project stages — a sense of urgency has clearly taken hold, despite what state officials say.