Post by bennyp81 on Jun 23, 2005 9:27:07 GMT -8
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Feb 17th 7:02 AM
From San Gabriel Valley Tribune
February 17, 2003
***************
Report advances highway reopening
By Marianne Love , Staff Writer
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Connecting state highways 2 and 39 in the Angeles National Forest would not greatly harm wildlife and vegetation, a recently released study has found.
The California Department of Transportation report is one more hurdle in the quest to reopen a 6.2-mile stretch of roadway that one official calls his city's "longest cul-de-sac.'
The environmental study to reconnect the road from Azusa to La Canada Flintridge looked at impacts to the topography, wetlands and air and water quality, natural vegetation, threatened plants and animals.
The proposed State Route 39 Roadway Rehabilitation Project begins 5 miles north of the Crystal Lake Campground junction to State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and State Highway 39.
That stretch of Highway 39 has been closed since 1978 because of frequent slides caused by heavy rainstorms, floods and is subject to rockslides that have damaged the road. Repairs are needed to preserve the existing highway.
Some area officials and mountain residents have been pushing for the roadway to be reopened. In the flatlands, Highway 39 rolls through Azusa where it is known as Azusa Avenue.
"Our view was that repairing a road has never before been subject to environmental review,' Azusa City Manager Rick Cole said. "It's better they do their homework than get sued, which would only delay the project longer.'
Cole sees the initial repairs as only extending the city's "longest cul-de- sac.'
"We're supportive of moving forward and expediting the project,' he said. "We waited 20 years and don't want to wait another 20 years.'
Terri Eagon, manager of Follows Camp, a campground on East Fork Road in the Angeles National Forest, is hopeful the road will be reopened.
"We would be anxious to see that happen,' she said. "It would bring us more business and more traffic.'
She said she imagined some people who come to the mountains to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life would oppose attracting more traffic.
"But when asked our opinion we have always expressed (reopening the road) would be good,' Eagon said.
The report suggests repairs be completed in two phases.
Phase One the northern section of road begins at Route 2 and 39 intersection and ends one mile south. Construction is scheduled to start in the summer and end in the summer of 2004, said Caltrans spokeswoman Judy Gish. During the initial phase estimated to cost $4.5 million workers will rehabilitate drainage culverts, reconstruct damaged retaining walls, apply asphalt concrete overlays on existing pavement and do road striping, Gish said.
Phase Two estimated to cost roughly $22 million is referred to as the southern section beginning five miles north of Crystal Lake junction and ending one mile north on Highway 39. It requires re-engineering a part of the road where a landslide swept away a 500-foot portion.
Construction would begin summer 2006 and end winter 2007.
Although closed, the road is sometimes used by county, state and forest service personnel to connect to Highway 2 for emergency, maintenance and other activities. Recently, it was used during the September Curve Fire, in which the road was used to evacuate campers.
Once public comments are received, Caltrans has three choices: Give environmental approval, do more environmental studies or abandon the project.
The initial study was performed by the agency and forest officials.
No sensitive, endangered or threatened plants or animals are within the area, although adjacent areas may contain sensitive biological resources including a possible wildlife crossing area at Snow Spring Slide, which is outside the project's limits. "Best management practices' will be applied to minimize the impact on wildlife crossings of bighorn sheep and other large mammals.
If the project, at the 6,000 foot elevation mark, is given environmental approval and funding appropriated, Caltrans could design and construct all or part of the project.
A total of about 7,200 cubic yards of dirt is expected to be excavated.
Upon completion, forest-goers will also have direct access to Wrightwood.
East San Gabriel Valley residents must drive an extra 45 miles through the forest to get to Highway 2 in La Canada Flintridge, or to Interstate 15 in Rancho Cucamonga to reach higher-elevation campgrounds, ski areas and restaurants in Wrightwood.
A public hearing on the report is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Azusa City Hall, 1213 E. Foothill Blvd.
-- Marianne Love can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108, or by e-mail at marianne.love@sgvn.com .
User ID: 9161143 Feb 17th 7:02 AM
From San Gabriel Valley Tribune
February 17, 2003
***************
Report advances highway reopening
By Marianne Love , Staff Writer
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Connecting state highways 2 and 39 in the Angeles National Forest would not greatly harm wildlife and vegetation, a recently released study has found.
The California Department of Transportation report is one more hurdle in the quest to reopen a 6.2-mile stretch of roadway that one official calls his city's "longest cul-de-sac.'
The environmental study to reconnect the road from Azusa to La Canada Flintridge looked at impacts to the topography, wetlands and air and water quality, natural vegetation, threatened plants and animals.
The proposed State Route 39 Roadway Rehabilitation Project begins 5 miles north of the Crystal Lake Campground junction to State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and State Highway 39.
That stretch of Highway 39 has been closed since 1978 because of frequent slides caused by heavy rainstorms, floods and is subject to rockslides that have damaged the road. Repairs are needed to preserve the existing highway.
Some area officials and mountain residents have been pushing for the roadway to be reopened. In the flatlands, Highway 39 rolls through Azusa where it is known as Azusa Avenue.
"Our view was that repairing a road has never before been subject to environmental review,' Azusa City Manager Rick Cole said. "It's better they do their homework than get sued, which would only delay the project longer.'
Cole sees the initial repairs as only extending the city's "longest cul-de- sac.'
"We're supportive of moving forward and expediting the project,' he said. "We waited 20 years and don't want to wait another 20 years.'
Terri Eagon, manager of Follows Camp, a campground on East Fork Road in the Angeles National Forest, is hopeful the road will be reopened.
"We would be anxious to see that happen,' she said. "It would bring us more business and more traffic.'
She said she imagined some people who come to the mountains to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life would oppose attracting more traffic.
"But when asked our opinion we have always expressed (reopening the road) would be good,' Eagon said.
The report suggests repairs be completed in two phases.
Phase One the northern section of road begins at Route 2 and 39 intersection and ends one mile south. Construction is scheduled to start in the summer and end in the summer of 2004, said Caltrans spokeswoman Judy Gish. During the initial phase estimated to cost $4.5 million workers will rehabilitate drainage culverts, reconstruct damaged retaining walls, apply asphalt concrete overlays on existing pavement and do road striping, Gish said.
Phase Two estimated to cost roughly $22 million is referred to as the southern section beginning five miles north of Crystal Lake junction and ending one mile north on Highway 39. It requires re-engineering a part of the road where a landslide swept away a 500-foot portion.
Construction would begin summer 2006 and end winter 2007.
Although closed, the road is sometimes used by county, state and forest service personnel to connect to Highway 2 for emergency, maintenance and other activities. Recently, it was used during the September Curve Fire, in which the road was used to evacuate campers.
Once public comments are received, Caltrans has three choices: Give environmental approval, do more environmental studies or abandon the project.
The initial study was performed by the agency and forest officials.
No sensitive, endangered or threatened plants or animals are within the area, although adjacent areas may contain sensitive biological resources including a possible wildlife crossing area at Snow Spring Slide, which is outside the project's limits. "Best management practices' will be applied to minimize the impact on wildlife crossings of bighorn sheep and other large mammals.
If the project, at the 6,000 foot elevation mark, is given environmental approval and funding appropriated, Caltrans could design and construct all or part of the project.
A total of about 7,200 cubic yards of dirt is expected to be excavated.
Upon completion, forest-goers will also have direct access to Wrightwood.
East San Gabriel Valley residents must drive an extra 45 miles through the forest to get to Highway 2 in La Canada Flintridge, or to Interstate 15 in Rancho Cucamonga to reach higher-elevation campgrounds, ski areas and restaurants in Wrightwood.
A public hearing on the report is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Azusa City Hall, 1213 E. Foothill Blvd.
-- Marianne Love can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108, or by e-mail at marianne.love@sgvn.com .