Republican Leadership Handling I-10 Traffic Planning Disaster
Palm Springs, California. On Sunday February 12th (Lincoln's Birthday) on Interstate 10 in the Banning Pass area west of Coachella Valley, freeway vehicle traffic was reduced to single lanes due to faulty road work planning and implementation. Freeway "pothole" work that was started during low-traffic nighttime hours remained incomplete throughout the day and traffic reportedly backed up for twenty-one (21) miles with some motorists experiencing four to six hour delays. Newspaper and other media reports made clear it was a disaster and one that could have been prevented had CalTrans and CHP staff members followed existing procedures.
In the aftermath residents of Coachella Valley are entitled to answers and solutions so all may be reassured such an event will never again occur. Words and promises from contrite CalTrans and CHP officials will not be enough. Written assurances - no, make that absolute guarantees - should be required of those in positions of authority so that future freeway roadwork will never again be allowed to create lengthy traffic backup situations.
The Coachella Valley is fortunate in having Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack representing us for all have stepped up to the plate and are seeking answers and solutions. The assemblyman will be holding hearings in Sacramento, the county supervisors have placed the subject high on their February 28th meeting agenda and the congresswoman has contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (I-10 is an Interstate Highway maintained with federal funds). With such high level interest we can be certain answers and solutions will surely be forthcoming.
It is disappointing to realize that no Democratic official appears to have stepped forward and shown leadership in seeking the necessary answers and solutions. That silence leads one to conclude all must be on vacation or else assume the issue is of little continuing importance. With respect to the "little continuing importance" point, nothing could be more wrong-headed. To paraphrase Supervisor Benoit, during a local broadcast interview on radio station KPSI, had a traffic debacle of this magnitude occurred during the hot summer period, the possibility of serious health concerns, and even deaths, would have been present. Assemblyman Manuel Perez and his entire staff appear to be ignoring the issue for their response has been little more than an inadequately worded press release sent out to the media. Valley residents have a right to expect more from their political leadership and Republican representatives appear to be working hard to respond to that expectation and need.
Kudos to Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
In the aftermath residents of Coachella Valley are entitled to answers and solutions so all may be reassured such an event will never again occur. Words and promises from contrite CalTrans and CHP officials will not be enough. Written assurances - no, make that absolute guarantees - should be required of those in positions of authority so that future freeway roadwork will never again be allowed to create lengthy traffic backup situations.
The Coachella Valley is fortunate in having Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack representing us for all have stepped up to the plate and are seeking answers and solutions. The assemblyman will be holding hearings in Sacramento, the county supervisors have placed the subject high on their February 28th meeting agenda and the congresswoman has contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (I-10 is an Interstate Highway maintained with federal funds). With such high level interest we can be certain answers and solutions will surely be forthcoming.
It is disappointing to realize that no Democratic official appears to have stepped forward and shown leadership in seeking the necessary answers and solutions. That silence leads one to conclude all must be on vacation or else assume the issue is of little continuing importance. With respect to the "little continuing importance" point, nothing could be more wrong-headed. To paraphrase Supervisor Benoit, during a local broadcast interview on radio station KPSI, had a traffic debacle of this magnitude occurred during the hot summer period, the possibility of serious health concerns, and even deaths, would have been present. Assemblyman Manuel Perez and his entire staff appear to be ignoring the issue for their response has been little more than an inadequately worded press release sent out to the media. Valley residents have a right to expect more from their political leadership and Republican representatives appear to be working hard to respond to that expectation and need.
Kudos to Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
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Posted by Desert Observer at 2/16/2012 12:12 PM 
Categories: Opinion
Tags: Assemblyman Brian Nestande Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack Assemblyman Manuel Perez Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit CalTrans CHP
Categories: Opinion
Tags: Assemblyman Brian Nestande Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack Assemblyman Manuel Perez Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit CalTrans CHP
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