Toll Road Extension Though Beach Voted Down

"After a marathon public hearing in which hundreds of people spoke, the California Coastal Commission voted late Wednesday to deny approval for a toll road through a popular beach state park."

"The 8-to-2 vote against the road, which would bisect California's fifth-most-visited state park, San Onofre State Beach in north San Diego County, was seen as a significant victory for the region's environmental movement and a major setback to a 20-year-effort to ease traffic congestion in the increasing sprawl of southern Orange County."

"The eight commissioners agreed with the agency's staff, which had found that the road, to cost an estimated $875 million, would threaten wildlife habitats, camping areas and a cherished surfing beach, Trestles."