Poll: Residents support underground 710 tunnel by 2 to 1 margin

GLENDALE — Glendale residents support the possibility an underground tunnel linking the Long Beach (710) and Foothill (210) freeways by a margin of 2 to 1, according to poll results released today by the 710 Freeway Coalition. 

The group is a regional collection of business, labor and government representatives in favor of the tunnel’s completion.

About 51% of residents said they supported the tunnel, 21% said they opposed it while 28% said they were undecided or did not know, according to the poll, which surveyed 200 registered voters. This is the first public survey of Glendale residents on the contentious subject.

The poll was spurred by recent Glendale City Council interest in hearing the opinion of city residents, said Coalition Chair Nat Read.

Since Caltrans first proposed the concept in 2002, the tunnel’s possibility has faced opposition in much of the affected areas, which include Alahambra, San Marino, La Crescenta and Pasadena.

Councilman Ara Najarian, the new chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the powerful transit agency that will eventually vote on the project, has encouraged Glendale residents to be active in voicng their opinions on the tunnel.

Stay tuned for further reaction.