10/13/09-A bill intended to help get a proposed extension of the Interstate 710 freeway built from Los Angeles to Pasadena as a tunnel has been vetoed by the governor.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB545 prohibited the Interstate 710 gap closure project linking the Long Beach Freeway to Interstate 210 in Pasadena from being constructed as a surface or above-grade highway.
In his veto statement, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the bill “unnecessary.”
“There is absolutely no need to enact statutory restrictions that would mandate certain project design options or remove others from potential consideration,” Schwarzenegger said.
Schwarzenegger also rejected the effort because he said it would result in properties owned by Caltrans being sold for less than fair market value, “resulting in the loss to the state of hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Instead, he wants Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to continue to work toward a resolution for the best solution to the transportation needs in the 710 corridor.

9/18/09-In the final hours of the legislative session, the Assembly voted 57-8 to approve a bill that is intended to help get a proposed 4.5-mile extension of the Interstate 710 freeway built from Los Angeles to Pasadena. The Senate followed suit on a 33-1 vote shortly thereafter, thus clearing the way for the bill to advance to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB545 would prohibit the Interstate 710 gap closure project linking the Long Beach Freeway to Interstate 210 in Pasadena from being constructed as a surface or above-grade highway. Instead, his bill requires the extension to be built underground.
For bill status, call 916-651-4120.

9/2/09-The Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 13-4 to advance to the full Assembly a bill that is intended to help get a proposed 4.5-mile extension of the Interstate 710 freeway built from Los Angeles to Pasadena.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB545 would prohibit the Interstate 710 gap closure project linking the Long Beach Freeway to Interstate 210 in Pasadena from being constructed as a surface or above-grade highway. Instead, his bill requires the extension to be built underground.
For bill status, call 916-651-4120.

7/15/09-A bill on the move in the Assembly is intended to help get a proposed 4.5-mile extension of the Interstate 710 freeway built from Los Angeles to Pasadena.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB545 would prohibit the Interstate 710 gap closure project linking the Long Beach Freeway to Interstate 210 in Pasadena from being constructed as a surface or above-grade highway.
The bill has advanced from the Assembly Transportation Committee to the Appropriations Committee on its way to the full Assembly. If approved there, it would move back to the Senate for approval of changes before advancing to the governor’s desk.
For bill status, call 916-651-4120.