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STATEMENT REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE 241 TOLL ROAD EXTENSION (FOOTHILL-SOUTH)
MARCH 23, 2006
From Ken Ryan, Chairman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA)
“This is simply another delay tactic that avoids dealing with the number one issue facing Southern California today – traffic congestion. Foothill-South is a solution that will improve traffic without taking homes or businesses and is environmentally sensitive.”
“This is from the same groups represented by the same lawyers who continue to oppose any transportation project designed to improve mobility. We will continue to work on getting the necessary state and federal permits, so that we can bring traffic relief to Orange County as soon as possible. It’s unfortunate that significant financial resources will go to attorneys instead of toward improving mobility and enhancing the environment.”
- On other options:
"Foothill-South is the only option that significantly reduces traffic without removing homes or business. Widening the I-5 freeway has been thoroughly studied and would take out 800 homes, 300 businesses, and eliminate 5,000 jobs at a cost of $2 billion -- funding the state doesn’t have.”
- On the state park leasehold:
“We’ve addressed those concerns by completely avoiding the inland campground. The bigger issue is how to solve traffic congestion in south Orange County. Foothill-South is the only viable option for drivers and will relieve traffic without taking homes or businesses.”
- On the environmental analysis:
“This project has been studied for more than 20 years by local, state and federal agencies. We’re confident that the environmental document more than adequately addresses the impacts and clearly shows that Foothill-South will significantly relieve traffic with the least impact to homes and businesses.”
ABOUT FOOTHILL-SOUTH
Foothill-South is the last segment of the Foothill (241) Toll Road, operated by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, and the final piece in Orange County’s planned 67-mile network of public toll roads. Foothill-South has been the subject of regional planning efforts for more than 20 years. A conceptual highway alignment, then named the Foothill Transportation Corridor, was placed on Orange County’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways in 1981. The highway was identified to alleviate anticipated traffic demand from new housing developments in south and eastern Orange County and as a regional highway alternative to the I-5 Freeway between San Diego and Los Angeles counties.
The purpose of Foothill-South is to provide improvements to the transportation infrastructure system that would help alleviate future traffic congestion and accommodate the need for mobility, access, goods movement and future traffic demand on I-5 Freeway. The need for additional transportation infrastructure in south Orange County is based on population and growth projections for the next 25 years. Population is projected to increase by 30%, housing by 25% and jobs by 51% in 2025.
Since 1996, TCA has participated in a comprehensive federal environmental review process with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Marine Corps-Camp Pendleton and Caltrans – a group known as the Collaborative.
Between 2000-2004, detailed technical studies were conducted to determine the potential impacts of the 10 project alternatives -- six toll road alternatives, two non-toll road alternatives including widening the I-5 and city streets, and two ‘no build’ scenarios. The studies culminated in the May 2004 release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (EIS/SEIR). Nearly 7,000 comments were received during the 90-day public comment period, with nearly 75% either supportive of Foothill-South or opposed to alternatives that cut through the city of San Clemente.
In December 2005, the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released, in which the Collaborative identified the ‘green’ alignment as the preferred and ‘Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable’ alternative. In February 2006, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors certified the Final EIR and approved the green alignment as the locally preferred alternative. The alignment, located east of San Clemente, significantly reduces traffic congestion on the I-5 Freeway and city streets, while avoiding sensitive wetlands and habitat areas. The alignment does not require the removal of homes and businesses.
Over the next two years, the Agency will pursue various state and federal approvals and develop a finance plan. The earliest estimated construction date is 2008-2009 with an opening of 2011-2012. More info: www.foothill-south.com.
ABOUT THE FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCY
The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority formed in 1986 to plan, finance, construct, and operate the Foothill (241) and Eastern (241, 261, and 133) Toll Roads in eastern Orange County. More info: www.thetollroads.com
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