Carlsbad Town Hall Meeting On Caltrans' I-5 Expansion Proposal

Online, October 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Lisa Margolin-Feher
(619) 417-9242
Lisa@Margolinpr.com

CARLSBAD TOWN HALL MEETING ON CALTRANS'
I-5 EXPANSION PROPOSAL

Hosted by Citizens Against Freeway Expansion (CAFÉ) and Sierra Club.

CARLSBAD, CA - Concerned citizens are hosting a town hall meeting in Carlsbad to present information on CalTrans' proposed expansion of I-5 from La Jolla to Oceanside. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Carlsbad Community Church, 3175 Harding, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Experts will discuss environmental impacts, transportation alternatives and the legal aspects of expanding the freeway.

Both the cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas have hired consulting firms to evaluate the proposed expansion's affects on their cities. The Solana Beach study is nearing completion, while the Encinitas impact evaluation will begin soon.

CalTrans is requesting citizens' comments on its Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) by Nov. 22, 2010. The DEIR was released in June, and details a 40- year, 27 mile, up to 18-lane project, which is estimated to cost between $3 and $4.3 billion. Upwards of 113 homes and 13 businesses may be seized to make way for the project.

Experts suggest that traffic volume and air pollution will increase by 60 to 70 percent. Greenhouse gas emissions will skyrocket. Miles of sound walls from nine to 12 feet high will be erected cutting off ocean views and creating a tunnel effect for drivers. A Park and Ride lot with a huge flyover is planed for at least one coastal lagoon. Seven ecologically sensitive lagoons will be disturbed, creating problems for plants and endangered wildlife species.

Unlike the CalTrans meetings advocating freeway expansion, this forum features a "Town Hall" format where citizens can express their opinions and ask questions of the experts. Del Mar City Councilmember Crystal Crawford will moderate. Previous citizens' meetings in Solana Beach, Encinitas and Oceanside attracted hundreds of concerned citizens. A large crowd is expected; the meeting is projected to last 2 hours.

Presentations will include:
• Lane Sharman, computer scientist and solar developer, will present the findings of Dr. Jack Hegenauer, retired professor of biochemistry at University of California San Diego. These finding address noise and health impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Robert Cotton, scientist and community activist, will present an audio-visual simulation of the proposed expansion.
• San Diego Sierra Club Attorney Pamela Epstein will discuss legal implications, and
• Erin Steva, Transportation Advocate with CALPIRG, will focus on transportation alternatives for San Diego County.

"This is far from a done deal, and citizens need to learn how the proposed expansion would affect them, their health, and their properties," said Steve Goetsch, of CAFE, "Right now, we're asking everyone to learn about the project, and if send their comments to CalTrans."

Many experts have stated that increasing the size of freeways has minimal affect on long-term traffic patterns - within a couple of years, freeways become just as crowded as they were before the expansion.

BACKGROUND:

In June, CalTrans released a DEIR detailing five alternative plans, including "No Build," "8 + 4" and "10 + 4,"meaning eight (or 10) general purpose lanes plus four High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, with or without concrete barriers separating general purpose and HOV lanes. This tally does not include auxiliary or other lanes. One view published in the DEIR shows 18 lanes at Cannon Road in Carlsbad.

Construction is to take place in three phases, ending in 2050.

CAFÉ is calling for citizens to:
• Contact their local elected officials
• CalTrans plan is still in its comment period. Comment by e-mailing CalTrans directly at I-5_NCC_EIR_EIS@dot.ca.gov
• Tell SANDAG your opinion about transportation options: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TMGQQFZ
• For more information or to get involved, visit the CAFÉ Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/citizens-against-freeway-expansion?hl=en