Posted: November 4th, 2005

The proposed Foothill-South Highway 241 Toll Road Extension threatens the San Onofre State Beach and public access to the beach. The “preferred alignment” for the proposed multi-lane highway would bisect San Onofre State Beach, eliminating precious open space on the California coast, impacting world-famous Trestles Beach, forcing the closure of San Mateo Campground, and destroying habitat for endangered or threatened species. The proposed project would obliterate a public trail from the campground to the beach, or dramatically reduce the recreational experience for trail users who would have to go under a concrete structure to reach the beach.

The Center has submitted opposition to the toll road extension to the California State Parks and Recreation Commission. The toll road extension would raise serious legal and policy issues parallel to the efforts to limit public access to public beaches, and to the proposal to run high speed trains through state parks across the state.