Tuesday, November 11, 2008

2 Freeway Terminus EIR Release Delayed


Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2008. Typical morning commute traffic on the 2 Freeway shot from the Corralitas Staircase. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Judy Raskin, chair of Echo Park Community Action Committee, reports release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the 2 Freeway Terminus Redesign is delayed until at least mid-December due to coordination efforts between CalTrans and MTA.

When the draft is released, the public will have 45 days to review and comment. Since the current schedule would release the draft EIR in the middle of the holidays, Echo Park CAC requested the release date be further delayed until January 2009. The public should not have to review these plans during the holiday season.

The MTA reviewed the design alternatives at last week's Echo Park Improvement Association meeting. According to Raskin, the MTA is creating confusion by labeling of one of the design alternatives as the "Locally Preferred Alternative." Raskin continues, "It does not mean the community (locally) prefers the alternative. Keep this in mind when the reports are issued. The Echo Park CAC has always supported the design now designated Alternative D."

The Silver Lake and Echo Park communities overwhelming supported Alternative D throughout the public scoping process.