SAN ONOFRE BEACH News & Recreation

San Clemente Times

Eye on SC

TCA Lobbies for Toll Road in DC

12/03/09

Vol. 4, Issue 49, December 3-9, 2009

By Norb Garrett and Jonathan Volzke

San Clemente Mayor Jim Dahl was among a group of representatives of the Transportation Corridors Authority who went to Washington, D.C., late last month to meet with elected officials and update them on the TCA’s efforts to find a solution to the stalled 241 Foothill South toll road extension. Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett and San Juan Capistrano councilman Sam Allevato also were on the trip.

The group met with the Undersecretary of the Navy, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, and Congressional Members: Loretta  Sanchez, Duncan Hunter, Susan Davis, Ken Calvert and Darryl Issa.

Last summer, the Secretary of Commerce rejected TCA’s appeal of the California Coastal Commission’s denial of its proposed toll road route through parts of San Onofre State Park before linking up with the Interstate 5 south of San Clemente. In ruling against the TCA’s proposed route, the Commerce Department noted alternative routes that should be further examined, including the so-called “Central Corridor” route which would run through Avenida La Pata and down through Avenida Pico. That route has been labeled by TCA as impossible, and last week San Clemente’s City Council considered sending a letter to influential state politicians underscoring their opposition to any routes through the city. While the letter wasn’t sent due to some concerns about the wording, the council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to draft a resolution in January restating the city’s opposition to the “Central Corridor” route.

Dahl said that he has made clear his opposition to any toll routes through the city. “I’ve been on the record for as long as I’ve been on City Council that I’m going to be the guy lying down in front of the bulldozer,” he said.

Allevato said the local officials continued to stress the need for the toll road, and asked for help with the Navy to study a route further into the base, which would eliminate most of the environmental concerns. “Essentially, because the last few miles across Camp Pendleton caused the most controversy and opposition and because we are requesting to cross the base, we acknowledge that we want to continue working with the Marine Corps in finding a right solution,” Allevato said. “The only way we can plan further is to listen to their training needs and plan accordingly.