710 Freeway talk ramps up

The growing controversy surrounding the tunnel reared its head at the MTA meeting last week when residents and elected officials from across the region lobbied for and against the tunnel, which would ultimately require the support of at least seven of the board’s 13 members.

Najarian abstained from the vote to hire a consultant to find private dollars for a number of county infrastructure projects, including the 710 tunnel proposal. And Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar was the only board member to vote against the contract, arguing that it was too early to move forward with a potential partnership for the tunnel.

On Thursday, John Fasana, an MTA board member and Duarte city councilman, said he hoped to see the tunnel proceed.

“It would be a vital connection there,” he said.

County Supervisor Gloria Molina, who was called out by constituents at the meeting for her support of the contract, declined to comment.

Other board members have taken a wait-and-see approach, arguing that it is too early to stake out a position on the tunnel.

“It’s hard to say we know for sure one way or another the benefits or the detriments of this project without even understanding the facts involved with it,” said Michael Cano, transportation deputy for county Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who voted in favor of exploring the public-private partnerships.

Still, officials said, the MTA board will play a major part in whether the long-debated connector comes to fruition.

“Until the board says to do something, it’s not done,” said Doug Failing, interim chief planning officer for the agency. “We are very strict within the policy. We are staff, and we are here to implement the board’s policy.”