252 Lane Miles Planned For Long Beach Freeway

"The 14-Lane “hybrid alternative” marks the end of a 2 1/2 year and $3.9 million dollar “corridor study” phase which initially proposed 12 plans. Narrowed down to A-E alternatives in the summer of 2003, freeway expansion could have resulted in the removal of 700 homes and 259 businesses, consuming 308 acres. Nearly 10,800 people could have been immediately affected, of which 10,070 were residents of color. The City of Commerce could have lost two of its four parks: Bandini and Bristow Park"In all, the plan calls for the acquisition of 47 acres in the City of Commerce, 9.9 in Vernon, and only .3 in Bell Gardens. At least 118 structures are planned for removal while an additional 21.8 “sensitive” acres, which include parks, schools, cemeteries, and hospitals, will be necessary for freeway expansion, according to the Gateway COG"

[Editors Note: Scroll down the page to third story.]

Thanks to Gilbert Estrada