HOLLYWOOD : Suit Seeks Environmental Report on Red Line Project

Critics of the Metro Red Line subway tunneling method proposed for Hollywood have sued the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, seeking to force a fuller environmental impact review of the $200-million project.

Such a review could delay Red Line construction for years unless the LACTC abandons a new plan to consolidate all work at Barnsdall Park. Critics want the agency to spread the work over three sites, a plan that already has received required environmental approval.

The Superior Court suit alleges that the Transportation Commission violated the California Environmental Quality Act by declaring that the consolidated tunneling project would not have a significant effect on the environment.

Plaintiff John Walsh asserted that dust, noise and traffic problems were not thoroughly reviewed, particularly since the construction site is across the street from the Los Feliz Elementary School and within a block of several hospitals.