Road to Nowhere - 241

Dear Editor - 

Reading the "End of The Toll Road", I came away less than enlightened due absence of an trenchant and pragmatic observations of the informed authorities who were questioned. Truthfully, I'm feeling a bit under served.  

I did not appreciate Mayor Baker's observation on the 'art of the deal' machinations nor Councilman's Allevato's comment on simply enhancing local circulation. Nor was Supv Spitizer's insider name dropping the Gov and ST CA Sec Transportation helpful, pertinent or applicable.  All three elected officials conveyed tedious information bordering on surrendering a fiduciary duty. Such is the puffery and civic balm required to mollify the difficult issues.

The crux of the topic is grappling with a well executed emergency management plan focused on REGIONAL evacuation. There was a void of feedback from local State Senate, Assembly Offices as well as the municipal emergency operations coordinators and city transportation committees who are frontline, vested stakeholders in insuring for all citizens welfare and safety during major disaster.  The route was selected by a collaborative group that included the Federal Highway Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish & Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and Caltrans.

Ironically, only the Coastal Commission and USG Commerce will adjudicate. As precedent, I readily point to the effectively managed and environmentally mitigated FWY 73. I recall the vivid clamor that such action would destroy  the San Joaquin Hills sanctuary.  These freeways systems are built by the best transportation engineers in the world. 

My conclusion is 80 years to build a road is hardly progress. And we need it for collective safety if for no other reason. Not sure whether the opponents and critics are doomsday preppers or merely getting their mea culpa's readied post incident indicating that we should have, could have adopted a more applicable strategic view on this project in behalf of our fellow citizens welfare. Conversely, none will be in office come 2041.  

Thank you.
Duff Owens Wilmoth
San Juan Capistrano