Metro Awards $37.3 Million for 710 Environmental Study

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors  approved a $37.3 million contract to CH2MHill to examine a range of alternatives, prepare technical assessments, and environmental and engineering studies about alternatives to close the gap between the 210 and 710 freeways Thursday.

The studies are expected to be completed in the fall of 2014.

“Metro looks forward to moving this much needed Measure R funded project through an alternatives analysis and environmental process to make decisions based on data regarding closing this longstanding gap in our transportation system and improving mobility throughout this region,” said Doug Failing, Metro Executive Officer for Highway projects.

The 4.5 mile segment between Valley Boulevard and Del Mar Boulevard in the City of Pasadena is the only uncompleted portion of the facility. The “gap” has contributed to local arterial congestion particularly during peak traffic periods.

In 2008, two-thirds of Los Angeles County voters approved allocating Measure R funds for the SR 710 Gap closure and other congestion relief projects.  

Metro will be the lead administrative agency on the project and will work in partnership with Caltrans. Caltrans will have environmental compliance responsibility under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has been delegated authority under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by the Federal Highway Administration.