Amid a scene that saw arrests and protests, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority yesterday approved funding for environmental studies for the controversial 710 Freeway tunnel project. According to the Pasadena Star News, the vote allocated $59 million towards a study that'll take 3-5 years to complete. And, naturally, members of the Bus Riders Union (BRU) interrupted the meeting, showing up to protest the impending bus fare hike. And more about the vote and protest via the Pasadena Star News: "MTA officials were quick to point out Thursday that all funding for the environmental work will come from Measure R, the half-cent county sales tax voters passed in 2008. That means the money could not go toward operating costs that might have helped the agency avoid a bus fare increase. And here's more from the Los Angeles Times: "We need to look at all the alternatives, modes and routes," said Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, who chairs the MTA board and is an opponent of a tunnel. "We want to make sure we are doing things the right way." span class="credit"/> Image via the PSN
· 710 Tunnel project takes big step forward despite protest meeting takeover [PSN]
· MTA board approves new studies of 710 extension [LAT]
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