Saturday, August 23, 2008
If the toll road don't fit - go to Sonny's.
To: sunpostnews/ local SC-daily
In response to Sue Waltman's criticism:
Sonny's Pizza 'not being smart' opposing
the toll road. That widening I-5 would be
the result, stems from a lack of information
(or misinformation) on Ms Waltman's part.
Fact: toll road or no toll road, widening I-5
thru SC is a done deal. Currently I-5's
widening-plan calls for 3 1/2 new lanes.
Fact: there's plenty of room. No homes
need be taken. OCTA and Caltrans
implement 'Context Sensitive Engineering
Rules' in cases such as SC, where homes
and business sit close to freeways.
Note: all Caltrans Freeway projects,
(planned 25-30 years in advance) right of
way (roadway foot-print) exceeds amount
of actual paving - meaning: a close look
at I-5 here (available space) - additional
lane-width-requirements meet Caltrans
12ft-max standard so there's room to widen
I-5 without destroying SC. Rumors to the
contrary are TCA myth, designed to snare
SC'ers into TCA's superfluous toll road net.
Apparently Ms. Waltman swallowed TCA's
bait - hook, line and sinker (she's not alone).
OCTA's 07-MIS (Major Investment Study)
reveals a 241-south extension to I-5, by
2030, would be the least traveled pavement
in South County. At upwards of $15 a one
way toll, no wonder. That's why, OCTA -
OC's Transportation "Authority" says -
"toll road, or no toll road, know I-5 thru SC
must be widened to accommodate SoCal's
future North-South 'Free'way traffic."
Reality: A Trestles toll road would do
nothing to alleviate I-5's traffic.
What Ms Waltman's question should be,
"Well then, why pave the toll road?"
10's of 1000's of smart, pizza eating,
commuting SoCal citizens ask the same
question.
Sad Fact: governmental bodies can, do
and will make dumb policy (they're only
human). It's up to us - informed, voting
citizens to bring high flying politicians
down to earth where we live, breathe,
eat smart pizza, and commute.
Fact: 8 of the 9 SC City Council Hopefuls
running for council election today, oppose
the toll road in its current nonsensical,
destructive path to Trestles.
May I suggest: Sonny's is not only the
best pizza in town - it's the Smartest.
Remember - we are what we eat.
Jerry Collamer, SC resident, is an active
participant in OCTA's South County Major
Investment Study Stakeholders Working
Group representing Wild Heritage Planners.