Pasadena's Traffic Crisis: The Unfinished 710 Freeway Comes Back to Haunt Us

The longest-running freeway fight in U.S. history might finally be over, but for residents of Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, and Alhambra, the battle with gridlock has just begun. As plans to redevelop the 710 Freeway stub gain momentum, the looming question is: What about the traffic?

From a Promised Solution to a Growing Nightmare

Originally envisioned as a critical connection to ease traffic flow between the 210 and 10 Freeways, the 710 extension was supposed to be a relief valve for the region’s growing congestion. However, decades of legal battles and community opposition halted the project in 2017, leaving behind an incomplete “Freeway Stub” that now threatens to choke local streets with traffic. Now, some new proposals could make the situation worse.

What is the Freeway Stub?

• Spanning nearly 60 acres, it stretches from Union Street to Columbia Street (north to south) and from St. John Avenue to Pasadena Avenue (west to east). 

• The "stub" project focuses on redeveloping the unfinished northern segment of the 710 Freeway in Pasadena.

An "I Told You So" Moment

Critics of the freeway extension have long argued that the project would do more harm than good. But as side streets become the de facto freeway, some are now reconsidering the decision to kill the extension. The lack of a direct route has not eliminated traffic; it has simply redistributed it in a way that no one was prepared for.

The Fallout: Gridlock Hits Hard

With the freeway extension scrapped, traffic has spilled over into residential streets, creating a daily nightmare for the communities that once opposed the freeway.

• Pasadena:  Neighborhood Streets (Orange Grove Boulevard, Arroyo Parkway, Grand Avenue, Fair Oaks Ave., Raymond Ave., Pasadena Avenue, and more) are now enduring the brunt of traffic that the 710 extension was meant to handle. It’s also unclear if freeway access from the 134 will be restricted further, making access to the Huntington Hospital more difficult.

• South Pasadena and San Marino: These areas, known for their charm and quiet streets, are also feeling the overflow by commuters seeking shortcuts.

• Alhambra: Already grappling with congestion, the city faces worsening gridlock as drivers avoid freeway backups.

The 710 Freeway Stub: From Eminent Domain to Community Vision

City officials established a panel called Reconnecting Communities, which meets monthly. They are tasked with creating a public plan to reimagine the freeway stub and reconnect it with neighborhoods “divided” long ago during the eminent domain seizures in 1968-1971. Goals include affordable housing, public parks, and restorative justice. As of this writing, the panel does not seem to prioritze the #1 issue: traffic.

From Seizure to Sale

So what about those homes seized by Caltrans nearly six decades ago under eminent domain in South Pasadena?

• Thousands recently flocked to open houses to catch a glimpse of five historic homes now up for sale by the city.

• These properties, located on Fairview, Fremont, and Meridian Avenues, are each priced at around $1 million or more.

• The proceeds—totaling at least $5.5 million—will be directed toward affordable housing.

What’s Next for Pasadena?

As city officials and community groups push forward with ambitious plans for the 710 stub the question remains: Can they solve the traffic problem without a freeway?

• Restorative justice and affordable housing are noble goals, but will they come at the cost of livability for residents now stuck in traffic?

• Public parks and community spaces sound great, but how will they coexist with the reality of daily gridlock?

What Do You Think?

Pasadena Voices wants to hear from you—because this impacts all of us. Tell us what you think about the current options for the Freeway Stub.

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