Tollway Agency Not Merger Foe

* The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ boards do agree that looking at merging governmental agencies in the search for greater efficiencies makes sense when that goal can be accomplished (“Toll Road Boards Should Yield in Studying Merger Prospects,” Editorial, Feb. 18.) Participation in an independent study is supported by the boards, however, not a study which is directed and funded by one of the parties who has the most to gain by controlling future excess toll revenue.

Earlier this month, the boards did vote against any state legislation that would automatically force consolidation.

For 10 years, the corridor program was in the hands of the county and could not get off the ground. Not until the agencies were formed in 1986, giving the corridors priority, did the program move from planning to implementation. The Transportation Corridor Agencies were formed for a single purpose: to plan, finance, construct and operate the San Joaquin Hills, Foothill and Eastern Transportation corridors. When the job is done and the bonds which paid for the construction are paid off, the corridors become free roads and the agencies dissolve.

How many governmental agencies’ long-term planning includes completing projects, reducing staff and closing shop? Most are perpetuated forever. In fact, an ad hoc committee of the agencies’ board members has been formed to develop a plan that will outline how and when the agencies will close shop for good.

The agencies’ boards support a third-party comprehensive study that examines if a merger of the TCA and Orange County Transportation Authority is the best way to ensure that the entire 68-mile corridor system is completed and the tolls are removed when the construction bonds are repaid.

PAT BATES

Chair, San Joaquin Hills

Transportation Corridor Agency

* The city of Irvine’s deliberations on the Newport Coast Drive bypass are right on target.

The Irvine City Council majority, as responsible advocates for their citizens and the general public, turned down [a request] by the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency to give up their right of way easement over the old six-lane public free road, which is now being rebuilt as part of the toll road. This section still has a public free right of way easement for passing over, which is of great long-term value to the citizens of Irvine and the traveling public.

Now the county and TCA most likely will threaten the city of Irvine again. They insist on having it their way. I believe their veil of being forthright with the public is finally falling.

RONALD D. KENNEDY

President

Newport Coast Drive

Defense Fund