Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Carbon Canyon topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents, council demand transparency as Caltrans considers Carbon Canyon S‑turn changes
Summary
A Chino Hills resident urged transparency about possible S‑turn widening in Carbon Canyon and whether private funding would open the route to trucks; councilmembers said they oppose truck access and plan a public hearing and outreach strategy to contest any change that would allow large‑truck traffic.
Bob Goodwin, a resident, told the City Council he is alarmed by visible survey markers and orange paint in Carbon Canyon and urged the city to disclose studies, cost estimates and agency correspondence about a proposed S‑turn project that he fears could permit truck traffic. "Nobody but nobody but nobody deserves the s turns to be widened," Goodwin said, pressing the council for full transparency on funding sources, truck‑movement analyses and long‑term operational intent.
Vice Mayor Marquez and other councilmembers said they share residents' safety concerns about Carbon Canyon, which serves as an emergency evacuation route and has constrained geometry, aging bridges and documented collision history. Marquez described a recent virtual meeting with multiple Caltrans representatives and Brea officials and said the city will press state agencies for clarity and public engagement. "We will reach out to the community and get your involvement," Marquez said, adding the council would pursue a public hearing and a coordinated strategy to oppose opening the route to heavy trucks unless substantial, costly improvements are completed.
Councilmember Moran reiterated the council's unanimity in opposing any change that would restore multi‑axle truck access, and urged staff to provide residents with concrete actions they can take during state public‑comment periods. "We 100% are on the same side," Moran said, asking staff to publish contact information and suggested next steps so residents can participate in Caltrans processes.
Councilmembers and the resident highlighted several specific concerns: whether bridges in Sleepy Hollow have been examined for heavier loads; what truck‑turning and freight analyses have been completed; whether private developers or large shippers are funding local improvements; and the scale of improvements that would be required (Marquez referenced an estimate in the meeting of roughly $15,000,000). City staff and council members said they have begun internal coordination and will plan outreach, but did not present any new agreements with Caltrans at the meeting.
The council did not take formal action on the S‑turns at this meeting. Council members said they plan to set a public hearing, continue coordination with Caltrans and allied jurisdictions, and provide residents with guidance for submitting comments to state agencies during any Caltrans public comment windows.
