Seal Beach asks residents to comment on proposals to widen I-405

The following information was released by the City of Seal Beach.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is in the preliminary stages of a project to widen the 405 freeway. This project lies between the 605 and 73 freeways in Orange County.

For this project an environmental impact report was released on May 18, 2012. The public has 45 days to comment on the report until July 2, 2012.

OCTA has held 4 public meetings for the project.

The City of Seal Beach is preparing comments to represent our residents, but it is crucial that residents participate in the process and submit individual comments on the project.

A public meeting was held on June 12, 2012 for the City to inform residents about the project and about the CEQA process. Over 200 residents were in attendance.

During that meeting numerous concerns were expressed regarding the project. Two of the three alternatives studied within the EIR relocate the existing soundwall that borders the College Park East neighborhood northward closer to the homes. A large and vocal desire has been expressed by the community to keep the wall in the current location.

Even though the City is preparing formal comments, it is crucial that residents craft their own comments to the EIR.

Due to the overwhelming attendance and desire of the community, a second meeting has been scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, June 26, at the North Seal Beach Community Center, located at 3333 St. Cloud Drive in Seal Beach.

Please attend the meeting and participate in the EIR process.

The EIR is available for review at Seal Beach City Hall, the Mary Wilson Library, the Los Alamitos/Rossmoor Library, or on the OCTA website at www.octa.net/405improvement.

The presentation and comment forms are available on the City of Seal Beach website as well at www.sealbeachca.gov.

If there are any questions or ideas, please contact Sean Crumby, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works at 562-431-2527 ext. 1318 or via email at scrumby@sealbeachca.gov.