Background
SR-710 North Stub Historical Background
This section of the SR-710 North was constructed over several years in the early 1970s and displaced at least 4,000 residents and destroyed 1,500 homes. A majority of the homes were owned or rented by low income and minority residents.
SR-710 North Stub Relinquishment Background
On November 18, 1964, the California Highway Commission determined the routing for the final five (5) miles of the State Route (SR) 7 freeway through the communities of El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena to complete the adoption of the Long Beach Freeway. The SR 7 is now known as the SR 710.
While the freeway never materialized in El Sereno and South Pasadena, the SR 710 northern interchange was constructed in the City of Pasadena in the early 1970s, resulting in the Northern Stub. This stub displaced thousands of residents and divided a residential community from an active central business district.
Following decades of planning and discussion regarding the future of the SR710 freeway connection, and through a collaborative multi-year effort with Caltrans, the relinquishment of the SR 710 Northern Stub transportation network, from Union Street to Columbia Street was approved by the California Transportation Commission on June 29, 2022 and was transferred to the City of Pasadena on August 15, 2022.
As a result of legislation introduced by State Senator Portantino (SB 7) and Assemblymember Holden (AB 29), the California Street and Highways Code, Section 622.3 was amended to indicate that the CTC may make a determination to relinquish the portion of SR 710 that is contained within the City of Pasadena to the City if Caltrans and the City enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment. This relinquishment eliminates the possibility of a future 710 North freeway connection.
Through a collaborative multi-year effort with Caltrans, the relinquishment of the SR 710 Northern Stub transportation network, from Union Street to Columbia Street was approved by the California Transportation Commission on June 29, 2022 and was transferred to the City of Pasadena on August 15, 2022.
Relinquishment Area
The relinquishment area is shown in the Relinquishment Area Map. The map identifies three areas for relinquishment. The north-most area identified for relinquishment is the Caltrans right-of-way generally bound by Union Street to the north, Pasadena Avenue to the east, California Boulevard to the south and St John Avenue/Havendale Drive to the west. This area is identified as Segment 15 on the attached map. This area proposed to be relinquished includes four overcrossings/bridge structures; Union Street, Colorado Boulevard, Green Street and Del Mar Boulevard. The area does not include the parcels with residential and institutional tenants immediately north of California Boulevard.
The middle section of Caltrans property identified for relinquishment is the wishbone area comprised of the roadway and sidewalk connection of Pasadena Avenue and St John Ave generally between Bellefontaine Street on the north and Wigmore Drive on the south. This area is identified as Segment 11 – Segment 14 on the attached map. It includes the existing roadway, sidewalk, landscaping, utility area and unimproved areas of the transportation network.
The south section of Caltrans property identified for relinquishment is the existing sidewalk, driveways, landscaping and utility area extending up to 5-feet west of and 11-feet east of the Pasadena Ave right-if-way within the transportation network from Bellefontaine Street to Columbia Avenue, identified as Segment 1 – Segment 10 on the attached map.
These three sections make up the transportation network of the SR 710 northern stub that was relinquished to the City of Pasadena. In addition nine traffic signals were relinquished to the City as part of this relinquishment agreement. The City has assumed full maintenance, ownership, responsibility, control and liability of the nine traffic signals.
Planning Process
The City Council has established a community Advisory Group – The Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group – to assist in developing the future vision for the relinquished area. As of June 6, 2023, the Advisory Group has met twice and the City is in the process of hiring consultants to assist with the redevelopment plans. Please visit the Advisory Group home page for the latest Agendas and meeting information.
| Col A | Col B |
|---|---|
| Reconnecting Communities Strategic Planning RFI | Completed |
| Historic Report on the 710 Displacement RFP | Released on 6/6/2023 |
| RFP for Specific Plan | Releasing in July 2023 |
This webpage will be updated frequently with new and additional information.
