Overview

The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) is a vital transportation artery, linking the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to major Southern California distribution centers and intermodal rail facilities. An essential component of the regional, statewide and national transportation system, it serves both passenger and goods movement vehicles.

As a result of population growth, increased cargo container volume at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, increasing traffic volumes, and an aging infrastructure, the I-710 Freeway experiences serious congestion and safety issues. 

In March 2005, following an extensive technical and community participation process, Metro completed the I-710 Freeway Major Corridor Study (MCS). The study analyzed congestion and mobility along the corridor in order to develop transportation solutions that preserve and enhance the quality of life of surrounding neighborhoods and communities.

Metro and six project participants are now conducting an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to analyze the range of possible improvement alternatives for the I-710 corridor. The I-710 Corridor Project EIS/EIR will study 18 miles of the I-710 Freeway between the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the Pomona Freeway (SR-60).

The study area encompasses 15 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County adjacent to the freeway corridor. Study Area Map.

The EIS/EIR, a study required by federal and state statutes, is an assessment of the likely influences that future improvements may have on the environment and communities along the corridor. It includes analyses of ways to reduce or avoid possible adverse environmental impacts.

Project Participants

Metro is joined by several partner agencies in completing the I-710 Corridor Project EIS/EIR. These agency partners include the California Department of Transportation, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, the I-5 Consortium Cities Joint Powers Authority, the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles, and the Southern California Association of Governments.

Project Objectives

Metro’s objectives for the I-710 Corridor Project EIS/EIR are shaped by priorities identified by stakeholders along the I-710 corridor during and following the MCS effort. These objectives include developing transportation alternatives that will:

• Improve air quality
• Improve mobility, congestion and safety
• Assess alternative, green goods movement technologies

Community Participation

The I-710 Corridor Project EIS/EIR seeks to break new ground in not only identifying impacts and mitigation strategies but in engaging community members and stakeholders in developing strategies to improve air quality, mobility, and quality of life.

Through a representative community advisory committee structure, outreach activities are designed to provide stakeholders the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the technical team throughout the life of the project. Community participation for the I-710 Corridor Project EIS/EIR is modeled on the highly regarded program used to complete the MCS.

The public is invited to stay involved by:

• Attending regular advisory and policy-making committees.
• Participating in community workshops and public forums.
• Submitting comments and questions via web, phone, fax or mail.
• Joining the project mailing list

Preliminary Schedule

• Begin public engagement in local communities – Spring 2008
• Hold public and agency scoping meetings – Fall 2008
• Complete Draft I-710 Corridor Project EIR/EIS - Summer 2012
• Approve final I-710 Corridor Project EIR/EIS -  Early 2013