Devils Slide Tunnel History Lesson from Sierra Club’s Lennie Roberts

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VIDEO. Imagine 1-200,000 people living on the Coastside!?!   CalTrans and San Mateo County were “tunnel vision” about freeways and wanted to put a six lane bypass over Montara Mountain in the 50’s and 60’s.

CalTrans liked their freeways so much that they changed the professional conclusions of their staff for the EIR.

  • Professional biologists said it would be devastating to biological habitat. CalTrans said not.
  • The fog study said it would be too dangerous to have 65 mph traffic on a 7% grade in the fog. CalTrans said not.
  • Six lanes? And they dared to say it would not be growth inducing.

Listen to Lennie tell the story to the City of Half moon Bay City Council and Staff of how citizens can make change and how long you may have to fight, in order to win. Now, the Sierra Club has a productive relationship with CalTrans, thanks to the patience of many people like Lennie Roberts.

In 1996 74% of the vote passed Measure T. 

Devils Slide ByPass

Coastside Buzz
Author: Coastside Buzz

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