The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s plans to upgrade the heavily-congested 710 Freeway from Long Beach to East Los Angeles may take a significant step forward Wednesday, but with the key caveat that any widening of the freeway would not be allowed until after a decade or so’s worth of other improvements are accomplished.

Officials asking for the delay, who include Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, three Los Angeles County supervisors and officials representing Glendale and Inglewood, want to reduce or eliminate any construction activities that may force out people living near the freeway’s path.

Those officials sit on the 14-member board that sets policy for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, also known as Metro. Their plan, however, may not be enough to sway the minds of people who are opposed to the freeway project in its proposed form.

“We want a project, when it’s approved, that does not displace homes and businesses,” said Jorge Rivera of Long Beach Residents Empowered, among the local groups advocating for project changes.

Opponents also want zero-emission vehicle mandates and a local hiring program, he said.

The project’s revised environmental impact report shows construction may displace nearly 440 people and about 160 businesses.

The Metro board will meet Thursday morning to decide whether to support future environmental review of prospective 710 Freeway improvements around a set of proposals known as “Alternative 5C.” Those plans, estimated to cost $6 billion, involve proposed construction truck bypass lanes near the 710’s junction with the 405 Freeway in Long Beach, widening of the freeway in Long Beach and at points north, as well as other work including improvements to on- and off-ramps.

The new idea favored by several Metro board members would, assuming ultimate approval of Alternative 5C, clear the way for an “early action program” with improvements to on- and off-ramps and other upgrades along the lines of bicycle lanes, street improvements and work that may benefit pedestrians.

On the other hand, Metro would not be able to press forward with any widening of the 710 freeway pending completion of the early action program, additional environmental analysis and attempts to reduce the number of people who may be displaced if the 710 Freeway is widened to take up more space. Metro’s board would be required to take a future vote to approve any work conducted after the early action program’s tasks are accomplished.

The added requests also call for union-friendly project labor agreements to accompany early action projects.

Michael Kapp, spokesman for Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro board member Hilda Solis said the plan is an attempt to balance a need to improve unsustainable conditions on the 710 with public demands. Accomplishing the early action program may require 10 to 15 years of work before any widening can take place.

In addition to the proposal to delay of any widening of the 710 Freeway, Metro board members are also scheduled consider a proposal from Supervisor and Metro board member Janice Hahn to increase project funding for supporting zero-emissions technology from $100 million to $200 million. If approved, that money could be used for such expenditures as subsidies for electric trucks or installing equipment within the freeway itself to recharge electric vehicles in motion.

Thursday’s decision will not be final. It’s up to Caltrans leadership to certify the final environmental impact report necessary for freeway work to proceed.

Metro’s board is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles.