But Miles Yet to Go : Two new roads underscore California’s creativity

Most Southern Californians depend on freeways to get to work, and just about everywhere else. But driving is rarely a pleasure on overcrowded routes. Opening in recent days were two new roads that could help ease congestion--the Century Freeway and a section of the state’s first toll road, in Orange County.

The Century Freeway is more than just a new route from Norwalk to Los Angeles International Airport; it represents a social experiment. Controversy and litigation delayed construction for three decades. Work finally began after a 1981 consent decree required the state to award some of the contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses; also, some construction jobs were set aside for residents of Compton, Lynwood, Watts, Willowbrook and other communities along the route. In addition, the compromise that was reached required the state to provide housing for many who were displaced by the road.

Although major problems marred the housing program, construction of the freeway did accomplish worthy goals. The $2.2-billion project employed many women and minorities; minority entrepreneurs and new developers of housing learned and profited from inclusion. Workers got job training and many got jobs near their homes. About 5,000 housing units were built.

The Foothill Tollway’s new 3.2-mile section, in Orange County, is another example of transportation creativity, though this road too has had its share of controversy. The $1.1-billion tollway has been opposed by environmentalists concerned about wildlife.

The tollway, to be 30 miles long when completed, is intended to allow fee-paying commuters to avoid the horrendous rush-hour traffic that plagues southern Orange County. Its tollbooths have state-of-the-art fare collection machines designed to prevent delays. The road will be a test of tolls as a new source of highway financing.

Both the Orange County tollway and the Century Freeway are experiments that will bear close watching in the years to come. Each, in its way, is unique. As usual, California pioneers new paths.