To help shape and develop the I-710 South Corridor Investment Plan, Metro and Caltrans invite the public to participate in a short survey to provide insight into developing the vision and goals for the I-710 South Corridor.

The I-710 South Corridor Vision and Goals Survey will remain open until March 25. To take the survey, in English, Spanish, Khmer or Tagalog, visit https://bit.ly/710VisionSurvey.

By participating in this survey, you will assist the 710 Task Force in developing projects, programs, and priorities to help improve the quality of life for those that live, work and commute in the 710 corridor. A vision is a short statement that captures the outcomes we would like to achieve to secure the best future for the corridor. Goals will be set for major areas of concern in the corridor such as air quality, health, mobility, safety, economic opportunity, housing, and the overall environment.

Ultimately, the Vision and Goals will provide a foundation for decision-making, help set priorities in the development of recommendations, allow the community to voice their values, and inform Caltrans and the Metro Board of Directors of the needs of those who live and commute within the I-710 South Corridor.

Also, save the date for a I-710 South Corridor Vision and Goals public meeting on March 23, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Zoom. Additional information will be shared on the project webpage.

Some quick background for those new to the 710 Task Force:

The I-710 South Corridor Project was originally conceived as a way to improve traffic safety, modernize the freeway design and accommodate growth in traffic and goods movement — particularly from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This section of freeway was built in the 1950s and ‘60s and stretches 19 miles from the ports through 16 cities and communities to East Los Angeles.

The project was halted in March 2021 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signaled that the project wouldn’t meet federal air quality conformity standards. In approving the project in 2018, the Metro Board prioritized local interchange and arterial road upgrades, new pedestrian and bike crossings and more funds for near-zero and zero emission trucks — while also holding off a decision on potentially widening the freeway that would displace residents and businesses in adjacent communities.

In response to the EPA’s decision and these displacement concerns, the Metro Board in May 2021 directed Metro to suspend work on the environmental process and re-engage community members and local stakeholders. The Task Force is expected to provide a multimodal Investment Plan for the I-710 South Corridor that incorporates community feedback and findings to the Metro Board of Directors and State of California in 2022.