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Chino Hills speakers urge Caltrans to pause S‑curve widening, warn it could undo truck restrictions and complicate evacuations
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Summary
Carbon Canyon residents told the Chino Hills City Council they want Caltrans to halt an S‑curve widening project (State Clearinghouse #2025121097), citing recent fires, evacuation gaps and the risk that widening could reopen the road to large trucks. The council said it will press for hearings and meet with Caltrans to seek assurances.
Dozens of Carbon Canyon residents asked the Chino Hills City Council on May 7 to press Caltrans for transparency and to pause planned S‑curve improvements on State Highway 142 that many fear could make the corridor accessible to large trucks and worsen evacuation safety.
“We want an evacuation plan before you increase our risk by allowing more truck traffic,” a resident said during the public‑comment period, encapsulating widespread concerns about the project’s potential traffic and safety impacts.
What residents said: multiple speakers who live near the S‑curve outlined a recent ~200‑acre fire in the area, asked why many neighbors received only limited public notice (the state requirement cited notices to properties within 300–500 feet), and warned that widening could be used to justify reinstating larger (5‑axle) trucks the city fought to exclude for more than a decade. Several commenters said they have recorded illegal large trucks using the route and reported near‑misses.
“Any widening that makes it easier for larger trucks to navigate this corridor raises serious concerns whether those restrictions can realistically be maintained,” one commenter said, urging the city to request full environmental review and a public hearing rather than proceed under a mitigated negative declaration.
Council response and next steps: Vice Mayor Marquez said the city has already requested a hearing and arranged staff talks with Caltrans. He told residents the council will pursue transparency and data on accident history and truck counts and will work with regional partners and state legislators to oppose reinstatement of truck access if it would harm safety. As of the meeting, staff reported a meeting with Caltrans staff was scheduled to gather further information and to consider an internal discussion and public hearing.
Emergency planning context: residents repeatedly asked when an evacuation plan would be finalized and tested. Sheriff’s representatives at the meeting said the department has expanded evacuation plans for Carbon Canyon, noted the existence of emergency gates and advised residents to enroll in county notification systems (SBReady), but also acknowledged that precise routing depends on the fire location, wind and operational decisions made during an incident.
Why it matters: Carbon Canyon Road is a narrow, high‑fire‑risk corridor with limited egress. Residents and council members told the council that any design change that increases throughput risks public safety unless paired with tested evacuation plans and guarantees that truck restrictions will be preserved.
Sources: Public comments and council remarks at the May 7, 2026 Chino Hills City Council meeting; sheriff and fire chiefs’ safety updates.
