Traffic Study Another 80 Years

West Pasadena Residents9 Association NEWS Established 1962 No.36 Fall 1993 The Southwest Pasadena Colorado Bridge Ready for Traffic Study Another 80 Years The Board of the WPRA. endeavors to follow many issues that Acclaimed one of the nation's most beautiful bridges, the are important to the residents of West Pasadena. One of gracefully curving Colorado Street Bridge will be rededicated continuing importance is the nightmarish traffic created by on December 13, exactly 80 years from its initial opening. commuters seeking the Pasadena Freeway, and by the The ceremony will be brief, for a larger, more elaborate commuter traffic "dumped off' at the end of the 710 "stump" opening is scheduled by the State of California in May. In June, at California. This is a very complex issue and the WPRA Pasadena Heritage will hold a benefit party on the bridge. continues to fight for solutions. A 900-calendar day contract was awarded to Keiwit Pacific Largely through the efforts of Board Members Bob Brina and Company on Jan. 8, 1991, with work actually beginning in David Hamlin, the call for a South West study of traffic was March and completion originaUy scheduled for last August. answered by City Council through the sponsorship of Vice The work time was extended until Nov. 21 to offset delays Mayor Katie Nack. The study seeks realistic methods to attributable to the removal and replacement of some of the manage and "diffuse" traffic in areas that are overburdened pier shafts, replacement of additional arch rib concrete cover by commuter traffic - these certainly include Orange Grove, and because of last winter's heavy rains. Pasadena Avenue and St. John. The recommendations will be The project consisted of the rehabilitation and reconstruction those that we can implement now, regardless of whether the of the bridge over the Arroyo Seco, the widening of the 710 is ever completed. Colorado Street overcrossing Linda Vista Avenue, and the In addition, the Traffic Committee of the WPRA will meet widening and reconstruction of the west bridge approach soon, along with Walter Koulash, a traffic engineer of national roadway. The entire bridge superstructure, including the reputation to develop a framework of creative methods to deck, underdeck support system and crown arch areas were manage and diffuse the traffic. We look to West Pasadena to replaced, and the road widened from 28 to 30 feet. The five- take its "fair share" of traffic but not simply to be a dumping foot wide sidewalks on each side have been retained and ground for commuter traffic. The idea is to manage and diffuse replicas of original light frxtures installed. the traffic by using the capacity of existing streets, not to Meanwhile the Pasadena Historical Society held a ribbon- simply shift it from one area to another. cutting ceremony in September to open its new History The Board of the WPRA is working hard to make the South Center and introduced a special exhibition featuring the history West Study effective and credible. Then, perhaps, we can look of the bridge through photographs and documents. "Spanning to a resolution to the mess from commuters that we see every the Arroyo in 1913" covers the planning and start of day on Orange Grove, Pasadena Avenue and St. John. Other construction of the bridge in 1912 through its recent areas such as Los Robles have acted in force to successfully reconstruction. protect their neighborhoods. Please participate in the neighborhood meetings that are planned for the next few months; we need your thoughts, input and active support to help restore our neighborhoods. Pete Ewing President, W.P.R.A. Traffic Changes Along Parking Meters Installed California Blvd. Approximately 700 parking meters have been installed in Old Noticed any changes along California Boulveard? The City is Pasadena arid 300 in the Civic Center area. They provide ' 're-stripping'' to change the street from 2 lanes (both ways) 15-minute, 1-hour and 2-hour limits at various locations, to 1 lane (both ways). Ultimately, parking will be allowed on providing 15 minutes for 25 cents. both sides. The intent is to "de-emphasize" California whfle "emphasizing" Del Mar for east/west traffic. The program was designed by the Old Pasadena Business and Professional Association and the City's Department of Public The City's General Plan calls for de-emphasizing a number Works. The idea behind the program was to generate revenue of streets, including Orange Grove, California, Marengo, Los from the parking meters for police patrols in Old Pasadena. Robles and El Molino. At the same time, streets to be emphasized will be Del Mar, Fair Oaks and Arroyo Parkway. The time limits of the meters -15 minutes in some spots and Planning for all of these streets will occur by June '94, with 1 hour in others - are certainly not enough time to take in implementation within 5 years, or as funding is available. The a movie or eat dinner. The City reports that the time limits idea is to keep through traffic out of residential areas and of the meters are the same limits as the parking signs that neighborhoods. the meters replaced. The original restrictions were developed on a "block by block" basis by conferring with the local The first 2 streets to be de-emphasized are Los Robles and merchants. These time limits were specifically developed to California. The City reports that they will be worked on first discourage long term parking on the streets in favor of the because they were already planned and funded before the parking structures and to allow short term parking for the General Plan was developed. patrons of local merchants. The Proposed TOT Completion Rose Parade and The California Transportation Committee advises Caltrans on projects in California. They view the 710 with two decisions Game Tickets in mind: approval based on the "route", and then, approval Vice Mayor Katie Nack again this year will offer her based on the avaflability of funds. complimentary Tournament of Roses parade seats on The Committee met September 29 for public comment. They Orange Grove Boulevard, and the opportunity to will vote on route adoptions in January - the vote will either purchase Rose Bowl Game tickets to residents of approve or decline the Meridian variation. If adopted, this District 6 by means of a drawing. would clear the way for a decision by the Federal Highway To enter the drawing for either two complimentary Administration, a "Record of Decision". Meanwhile, the tickets for the parade grandstand seats or the oppor- Committee has also stated that, due to funding constraints, tunity to buy tickets to the game, send your request to: the 710 would not be considered until after 2001. Vice Mayor Kathryn Nack Competing Federal agencies, Federal Highways and the 277 South Granve Avenue National Trust for Historic Preservation, are in conflict as to Pasadena, CA 91105 whether the 710 should be built at all. The National Trust has requested (and received) a "Low Build" alternative for Note on the outside of the envelope if you are requesting Federal consideration, as required in the Environmental "Parade" or "Game" tickets. Include a stamped, self- Impact Report. The "Low Build" is a near term, low cost addressed business-sized envelope. Those requesting alternative to the 710 that streamlines traffic and utilizes game tickets must include a check for $92 (the price existing street capacity. of two tickets at $46 each) made out to Kathryn Nack. Checks of those not selected will be returned to Through a Superior Court decision in Sacramento, Caltrans senders. cannot build the 710 without the permission of South Pasadena. This would require the approval by South Pasadena This offer is for residents of District 6 only, one request for the closure of any city street for the constructon of a per household, and are for your famfly's use only. They freeway. Appeal/new legislation would be required for Caltrans are not to be resold. Requests must be received by to proceed. Dec. 5. Contact Mrs. Nack's field representative, Betty Ho, at 799-1925 if you have questions. Not only is the Federal Highways and National Trust for Historic Preservation considering the "Low Build" option, For disabled residents requiring street level parade but the California Transportation Committee and Caltrans are seating, please call Robert Gorski, Accessibility Issues expressing interest in this near term solution to traffic in Coordinator at 405-4216. Pasadena. City Asks Residents' Input in in Dallas, the Giants Stadium in New York/New Jersey, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Planning for World Cup Soccer Quarter finals will be in Palo Alto, Boston, Dallas and New York, and the semi-finals finals in Pasadena and New York. in the Rose Bowl World Cup USA94 is headed by Los Angeles attorney Alan The world's eyes will be upon Pasadena in unprecedented I. Rothenberg as chairman, president and CEO of the organiz- focus next summer as eight games of the World Cup USA94 ing committee. Dr. Henry A. Kissinger is honorary chau-man, are staged in the Rose Bowl. Games in Pasadena will include and others on the board are Howard P. ABen, Charles G. Cale, first stage contests on June 18, 19, 22 and 26, a second stage Hank des Bordes, Ahgmet Ertegun, Wemer Fricker, Lamar game on July 3, a semi-final game on July 13, the third and Hunt, John Nordstrom, Jay A. Pritzker, William E. Simon Sr., fourth place playoff on July 16 and the cup match on July 17. Hank Steinbrecher and Peter V. Ueberroth. The organizing An estimated 2 billion people will watch on TV.

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