LAUSD opposes proposed narrowing of Almond Avenue for I-405 expansion

The following information was released by Los Alamitos Unified School District.

Deputy Superintendent Patricia Meyer responded to proposals for expansion of the I-405 freeway to Smita Deshpande of CalTrans.

The text of the letter:

July 17, 2012

Smita Deshpande
Caltrans — District 12
2201 Dupont Drive, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612

Subject: I-405 Freeway expansion

Dear Ms. Deshpande:

This letter is being sent to comment on the I-405 freeway expansion.

The project as presented in the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIS) has three alternatives. Two of which involve relocation of the existing sound wall that lies between the I-405 freeway and Almond Avenue in Seal Beach.

The Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD) has concerns regarding the expansion of the 405 Freeway Project and in particular, reduction of the street width of Almond Avenue. Almond Avenue serves as a collector road for the College Park East neighborhood and the street is utilized for bus service to pick up and drop off children every school day. Many of the streets that intersection Almond Avenue are cul de sac streets that provide no other options for planning of alternate routes for bus service. The project alternatives relocate the existing sound wall as much as ten (10) feet to the north. This reduction will make it more difficult for the busses to turn and reduce the safe area for drop off and pick up.

The Los Alamitos Unified School District opposes any reduction in the width of Almond Avenue.

If there are any questions please contact me at (562) 799-4700 ext. 80449.

Sincerely,

Patricia L. Meyer
Deputy Superintendent.