Not So Fast: Metro Board Hits the Brakes on Southern California Highway Expansion Plans

Political opposition to the controversial I-605 Corridor Improvement Project is gaining traction on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

1 minute read

October 27, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


5/605 Interchange

The I-5 and I-605 freeways where they meet in Downey, California. | Kit Leong / Shutterstock

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors hit the brakes on a controversial freeway widening project proposed for Interstate 605 and intersecting sections of interstates 5, 10, and 105 in addition to California State Route 60.

The Metro board unanimously approved a motion to delay the I-605 Freeway Corridor Improvement Project "and to study alternatives that would minimize the demolition of homes," reports Joe Linton.

According to Linton, "Metro’s official statements, including a September 29 letter from CEO Phil Washington, have been largely dismissive" of negative feedback on the project. The Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) and the city of Downey are two local jurisdictions cited by Linton as examples of community opposition to I-605 Corridor Improvement Project. The Metro Board of Directors, however, responded to that feedback. Linton provides more detail about the board's actions:

Last week, six boardmembers put forth a motion that delays the release of the project environmental studies (draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report – dEIR/EIS) until after Metro staff study more alternatives. The motion specified that those alternatives will include one that “minimizes right-of-way impacts” and/or a “Transportation System/Demand Management (TSM/TDM) alternative” similar to what the board approved in place of the canceled $6 billion North 710 Freeway tunnel project through South Pasadena.

Linton also provides details of the widespread opposition to the project expressed by members of the board.

Thursday, October 22, 2020 in Streetsblog Los Angeles

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

2 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

3 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

4 hours ago - Bloomberg