Starting next week, transportation authorities and a task force gathering new input on the halted 710 Freeway widening project are launching community feedback meetings, or listening sessions, meant to collect more feedback from those who will be directly impacted by the project.

The 710 Task Force, a Metro-initiated group of about 50 community, industry, public and private stakeholders, is spearheading this process by engaging local jurisdictions and organizations while gathering input from traditional regional transportation and freight stakeholders, Metro said in a statement.

These upcoming listening sessions will give those affected by the 710 Freeway widening project a chance to speak directly to Metro, Caltrans and the 710 Task Force, according to Metro.

Each session will be going over the same information, so the following meeting times are meant to accommodate people with different schedules:

  • Session 1: Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 7p.m. (click here)
  • Session 2: Thursday, Dec. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (click here)

Spanish language translations will be provided. Anyone unable to participate in this meeting can still access materials and recordings from these sessions and Metro’s 710 Task Force meeting page under “documents.” The public can also submit public comments by email at [email protected].

The 710 Task Force meetings, which are open to the public, will continue meeting at least once a month, with the third one scheduled for Dec. 13 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In March, Metro and Caltrans halted the freeway widening project when the Environmental Protection Agency issued a letter that the project didn’t meet federal air quality standards. In response to the EPA’s decision and displacement concerns, the Metro Board in May directed Metro to suspend work on the environmental process and re-engage community members and collect renewed input on the project.

The Metro Board of Directors expects to have a report of feedback and findings from 710 Task Force by April 2022.

LA Metro board opts to pause pursuit of 710 Freeway widening project