Toll road protest

Tom Margro, chief executive officer of the Transportation Corridor Agencies, presents arguments to the Coastal Commission at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation, speaks against the plan. “If the toll road is permitted to proceed, we will all be spending decades in rooms like this all across the state fighting to protect yet another special place,” she said.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Outside the meeting, Helen Weaver of Bonsall confronts a large group of toll road supporters.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Chairman Patrick Kruer (in red necktie) confers with other members of the Coastal Commission during the meeting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Christopher D. Latvala of Santa Ana hoists a sign in favor of the toll road.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Danielle Regimbal, left, and Lauren Brooks, both of Yorba Linda, head into the Coastal Commission hearing in Del Mar.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Angela Barker of Oceanside expresses her opposition to the proposed toll road.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Approximately 3,500 people crowded into Wyland Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the California Coastal Commission hearing.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Members of laborers union Local 652 dominate a bleacher at the back of Wyland Hall. Approval of the road would mean jobs for union members.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Tanner Prairie 18, heads out to the surf. He has surfed in the area since he was 5.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)

The Cowen family relaxes at the San Mateo Campground. James Cowen (standing) of San Clemente, his son Dylan Cowan, 15, (seated) and brother Doug Cowan, (close). They feel road noise from a proposed 6-lane 241 toll road 100 yards away will destroy the tranquility of the popular campground.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

A surfer takes on a wave at the Lower Trestles, in Sna Onofre. The California Coastal Commission voted against a new toll road that would have gone through the State Park.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)

In this aerial view looking north, the city of San Clemente is at the left and San Onofre State Beach is at the right, with Interstate 5 running parallel to the coastline. The proposed six-lane Foothill South toll road would go through the state beach territory, roughly straddling its border.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)