A proposal to put a price tag on the controversial Long Beach (710) underground tunnel extension to the Foothill (210) Freeway again got caught in a bureaucratic traffic jam Thursday, with officials putting it off until February.
The proposal from Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian has been floundering at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where he also serves on the board of directors, since he brought it up in October as a way to get a cost estimate on the table before committing millions in Measure R tax money to the tunnel project.
Foes of the proposed tunnel from Alhambra to the 210 Freeway say the project may be far more expensive than is viable. Estimates for the roadway range from $1 billion to $14 billion, Najarian said.
The cities of Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena and South Pasadena oppose the project, citing construction disruptions, environmental and cost concerns.