UCI Pulls Out as Host of Toll Road Hearing
Editorial staff

Activists and other community members planning to attend the July 25 hearing at UCI’s Bren Center received news July 11 that the event won’t take place at UCI. The OC Register and LA Times ran articles on July 12 explaining why UCI officials decided not to host the hearing on the proposed Foothill South toll road extension. A UCI spokeswoman cited capacity and security issues as reasons for the change of plans.

The Coastal Commission in February ruled against the toll road extension, but the Irvine-based Transportation Corridor Agencies filed an appeal with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees coastal use. The U.S. Commerce Secretary could overrule the Coastal Commission’s decision on grounds completing the toll road has a federal impact.

UCI officials decided the Bren Center couldn’t accommodate the crowd when the estimated attendance grew to 10,000. One reason toll-road supporters wanted the hearing located in Irvine was their belief it would draw attendees in favor of the toll road. Posts on blogs indicate that activist groups were working hard to mobilize toll-road opponents, ensuring they would outnumber those favoring the extension.

This blog’s staffers agree with opponents of the extension on the basis the southern half of the proposed route would not alleviate traffic congestion as claimed. Bloggers oppose escalating the battle over building a road through a state beach for the sake of building a road without adequate benefits except to its developers and investors.

The NOAA announced on July 11 that it is looking for a new location to hold the July 25 hearing. An NOAA spokesperson indicated the hearing might be canceled if a new location cannot be found to accommodate at least 10,000 people.