The tension between the environment and infrastructure…
The California Coastal Commission is set to decide whether the proposed extension of toll road Route 241 should be allowed. The proposed extension is controversial mainly due to the location of the road’s interchange with Interstate 5 just south of San Clemente near the San Onofre nuclear power station. The major objections are that the 6 lane highway will cut through natural wild lands and potentially degrade the quality of the famous surf break at Trestles Beach.
The proponents, including Gov. Schwarzenegger, argue that the extension is necessary to reduce traffic problems in that already overloaded section of Interstate 5 (the main artery between LA, Orange and San Diego counties).
There seem to be valid arguments on both sides. This situation illustrates the tension that often arises between preserving the environment on the one hand and maintaining an efficiently functioning society on the other. Clearly neither can exist without the other, thereby dictating that a balance must be met. Whether that balance includes the construction of this toll road will be determined in the very near future.
As a side note, regardless of how the Coastal Commission rules, an even bigger issue not being discussed in this current debate is the woefully absent options for effective mass transit between the three counties. Currently there is a single Amtrak line that “runs” roughly parallel to Int. 5. The reason for the snarky quotes is due to the numerous hurdles in place to using the Amtrak line as an alternative means of inter-county transit, including: the need to fight extreme traffic just to reach the stations (e.g., from the westside of LA to downtown could be 1+ hrs after work), the many delays the trains face (including pedestrians being hit on the at-grade tracks and trains having to pull off the main line just to let trains from the opposite direction through) and overcrowding during the summer holidays and Del Mar Racetrack season.
- Similar Posts:
- SoCal Congressmen support appeal of toll road decision
- Proposed toll road expansion only mostly dead…
- Toll road expansion rejected…
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