Washington Blvd Widening
The City of Commerce is in the process of reviewing the Environmental Impact Review for the widening of Washington Boulevard from 4 lanes to 6 lanes, 3 on each direction.
This widening is a major concern for the local residents because the State of California found that the local area is at a 140% increased risk of cancer. One third of that risk comes form the diesel trucks, the majority of which travel on Washington Blvd. This widening is being done to accommodate the additional truck traffic that will be generated by goods movement at the ports and the local community will be paying with their health.
There is a solution! Washington Blvd has recently been resurfaced and there is no need to widen it. The trucks can be re-routed to Bandini Blvd., a nearby parallel street that can accommodate more trucks and away from our neighborhoods.
Read our letter in response to the Draft Environmental Impact Review (EIR) (Dec. 2009)and our factsheet summarizing major points in the Final EIR.
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF COMMERCE (April 2010)
Washington Blvd. Improvement Project - Final Environmental Impact Report
The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) is now available. The FEIR includes responses to comments received during the review period for the EIR. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider the FEIR on May 4, 2010. For more information please contact Alex Hamilton, Assistant Director of Community Development at (323) 722-4805, extension 2330 or alexh@ci.commerce.ca.us