The debate over plans to expand Interstate 5 has prompted a state senator to get involved.Solana Beach and Oceanside seem to be taking the lead on this. Teresa Barth is involved, but without support from the council majority.
On Monday, Sen. Christine Kehoe hosted a town hall meeting so CalTrans and other agencies involved in the expansion could clarify the five different options ranging from doing nothing to widening I-5 to 14 lanes.
"The impacts are huge. The benefits are minimal at best," said Oceanside City Councilmember Esther Sanchez.
La Jolla Resident Elizabeth Rudy said, "The CalTrans plan just makes it more convenient to drive more."
When asked if there was an option she was in favor of, Kehoe said, "I don't think so."
Kehoe said she and her constituents still have a lot of questions about the proposed project, which would cost about $4 billion.
Many residents said they want the money spent on mass transit instead of traffic. This includes a group called I-5 PLAGUE, which stands for "Prevent Los Angeles Gridlock Usurping Our Environment."
"L.A. has been expanding freeways for 40 years and they still have gridlock for seven hours every day," said PLAGUE spokeswoman Noel Spade.
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The public has two more weeks to comment on the environmental impact report.
If you care, contact PLAGUE for how to submit comments to CalTrans.
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