In an historic vote, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board Thursday approved $515 million in local roadway projects in lieu of a north 710 Freeway extension, ending nearly 60 years of debate.

A list of 34 projects include removal of the southern 710 stub at Valley Boulevard in Alhambra, construction of a train overpass at California Boulevard in Pasadena, and three parking structures in Monterey Park.

The LA Metro board voted 8-0 to spend more than half a billion dollars in projects. Most of the funding comes from the $780 million set aside in Measure R, a half-cent sales tax adopted by Los Angeles County voters in 2008 earmarked for the 4.3-mile 710 Freeway gap closure tunnel.

Both LA Metro and Caltrans killed the 710 Freeway extension first offered in the 1950s that more recently was proposed as a tunnel from the terminus at Valley Boulevard through South Pasadena and Pasadena to the 210 Freeway.

“Today we begin the next chapter for those cities that have been affected by this traffic congestion for so long,” said Metro board member and county Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Critics

Not everyone at the board meeting agreed with the project list.

Representatives from Cal State Los Angeles were concerned that ending the freeway at the 10 Freeway could add traffic woes to the school.

Pamela Marcus of El Sereno said her community was shortchanged, getting only $10 million for minor projects. She also opposed any roadway from the freeway into the predominantly Latino community.

“I will fight the connector road until my last breath,” she told the board.

Environmental groups called the projects “car-centric” and argued they would increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We need to do better. We need to focus on how to get people out of their cars. The staff recommendation (project list) would put us in the opposite direction,” said Wes Reutimann, executive director of Bike SGV.

A second round of projects coming in about six months will give more consideration to bike lanes, electric buses and more pedestrian walkways, Barger said.

Approved Projects

Alhambra:

1. Remove the southern freeway stub and end the freeway at the 10 Freeway interchange ($100 million for study).

2. Improve on- and off-ramps on the 10 Freeway at Fremont Avenue, Atlantic Boulevard and Garfield Avenue ($60 million).

Monterey Park: Widening of Ramona Road, Garvey Avenue, Garfield Avenue and Atlantic Avenue ($31.3 million); three parking structures on Garvey ($60 million)

South Pasadena: Interchange improvements to 110 Freeway at Fair Oaks Avenue ($38 million)

San Gabriel: A roundabout to Cesar Chavez Avenue/Lorena Street/Indiana Street ($8 million); Mission Drive and Las Tunas Drive intersection improvements ($3.3 million); Traffic signal control on Valley Boulevard and San Gabriel Boulevard ($3.1 million).

San Marino: Traffic signal synchronization on Huntington Drive ($7 million) and San Gabriel Boulevard ($3 million).

Los Angeles County/L.A. city: Traffic corridor improvement on Atlantic Boulevard ($3.7 million), Arizona Avenue/Monterey Pass Road/Fremont Avenue ($7 million), Eastern Avenue ($1.9 million), City Terrace Drive ($800,000); Floral Drive ($250,000; traffic signal upgrades in El Sereno ($10 million).