Key Environmental Lawsuit Settled On Highway 50 Project

This development shows the importance of environmental review being applied to major highway projects. Thanks to litigation pursued by Environmental Council of Sacramento,and Neighbors Advocating Sustainable Transportation community group, public transit will be a big winner while the carpool lane construction can proceed. More jobs, less greenhouse gas emissions!

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Key Highway Lawsuit Settled In California

“One down, nine to go - that's how many hwy projects Gov. Schwarzenegger wants exempted from environmental review in order to be 'shovel ready' for the Obama stimulus”

State, environmental groups settle highway lawsuit

By SAMANTHA YOUNG Associated Press Writer

Posted: 01/16/2009

"The deal relieves the state from having to pursue court-ordered environmental reviews that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been seeking to circumvent in negotiations over the state budget.

The settlement means construction could start later this year on the $165 million project to add carpool lanes along Highway 50 east of downtown Sacramento.

The agreement requires the state to give Sacramento $7.5 million to expand its light rail system as a way to offset the pollution and greenhouse gases that might be generated from the added traffic.

Eric Davis, a spokesman for the Environmental Council of Sacramento, said he hopes the settlement will prevent efforts to undermine environmental laws for road projects in the ongoing budget negotiations.

"Our agreement shows that economic stimulus and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand," Davis said in a statement."