Lt. Gov. Candidate Opposing Tunnel Project

Stewart A. Alexander
2006 Candidate
California Lieutenant Governor
Peace and Freedom Party

Stewart Alexander, the candidate for lieutenant governor, is opposing plans to construct a 10 mile tunnel beneath the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest to relieve traffic congestion. Alexander believes any future for this project should rest with California voters and not with government agencies and corporate officials.

The proposed tunnel is designed to relieve traffic congestion for commuters traveling daily between Riverside County and Orange County; and the 10 mile tunnel would connect Corona at the I15 to Highways 241 and 133 in Orange County. The tunnel project would be three 45 foot diameters tunnels moving commuters, heavy trucks, light rail and water pipelines.

Environmental groups oppose the project because of the impact it would have on wildlife, groundwater and the environment. Other concerns are, the tunnel will only create more bumper to bumper traffic and will not solve the congestion problems.

Alexander says, “This is another example of poor planning; this is planning around the problem rather than planning to solve the problem. Much of the solution relies on creating the jobs where people live; this is all part of urban planning.” Stewart Alexander is a candidate with the Peace and Freedom Party.

Presently government agencies are seeking $15.8 million in federal funds to study the feasibility of the tunnel project. The estimated cost to construct the tunnel ranges between $2 billion, the lowest estimate, and $6 billion, the project would likely exceed the lower estimates.

Alexander says, “The planning for the project should be a major platform issue for every statewide candidate for public office. Unfortunately the leadership in the Democratic Republican Party moves along the same lines, protecting corporate interest.”

Recently Alexander proposed several projects to help relieve congestion and to protect the environment. The candidate proposed electric cars to create clean, efficient commuting. He also proposed the development of a twin rail system to move tens of thousands of commuters daily between Riverside County and Orange County. Alexander says America should be moving in this direction to clean up our environment and to end our dependency on oil.

Alexander believes the proposed tunnel project is a future nightmare that will have a negative impact on the environment for the next 2000 years.

Alexander says, “I am urging all the candidates that believe in protecting our environment and protecting these natural reserves to oppose this tunnel project and bring this issue to the fore-front of California voters. The time is now.”

For more information search the Web for Stewart A. Alexander, for Lieutenant Governor.