Commission directs staff to request public review process for SR‑710 cost-benefit analysis and attaches stakeholder letters

The California Transportation Commission considered the draft Environmental Impact Report and EIS for the State Route 710 North Study in Los Angeles County and approved staff recommendations that the commission (1) register no comment on the draft environmental impacts and alternatives and (2) request that the cost‑benefit analysis (CBA) be distributed through a process that ensures sufficient opportunity for public review and comment before the final environmental document is brought forward for project funding or other commission action.

Staff noted the draft EIR considers four build alternatives and one no‑build alternative; estimated costs for the build alternatives ranged between approximately $5.0 billion and $5.65 billion depending on the alternative selected. Staff recommended that the final environmental document not be brought to the commission for funding decisions until the recently released cost‑benefit analysis is distributed in a way that allows public comment, and that early coordination should occur if the commission is later asked to approve a public‑private partnership or financing and tolling approvals.

Public commenters urged more scrutiny of the CBA and additional opportunity for public input. Diana Mammut, representing community groups including South Pasadena and the No. 710 Action Committee, said the CBA understates tunneling costs, omits sufficient risk analysis and lacks a cost‑efficiency metric showing benefits per dollar. "The cost benefit analysis does not measure cost efficiency," Mammut said, and she urged that health‑cost impacts and price‑elasticity assumptions be included. Marvin Pineda, representing the city of Alhambra, supported moving forward and cautioned against further delay but said the city would submit comments on the EIR.

Commissioners discussed timing and the need to check tunneling cost assumptions; Caltrans staff said the comment period on the CBA has been extended to Aug. 5 and that staff will respond to technical questions about the CBA as part of the environmental document. Commissioners then approved staff's recommendation; staff also noted that letters from multiple cities and residents received before the meeting would be attached to the commission's communication to Caltrans.