The extension would fill a 6.2-mile gap between the Foothill (210) Freeway in the north and the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in the south. The gap forces thousands of drivers every day to exit one freeway, maneuver through traffic-clogged streets in Alhambra and jump on the other freeway to either get to work in the morning or get back home at night.

The extension was actually approved by state and Federal lawmakers more than 35 years ago, and Alhambra leaders have joined many Pasadena residents in supporting its construction. However, the project has been thwarted by a lobbying, lawsuits and other maneuvers by neighboring South Pasadena since the 1960s.

While supporters say the extension would provide innumerable benefits, opponents say building more freeways isn't a viable solution to the region's transportation problems. They also note that building the extension would require the removal of about 6,000 trees and 900 homes, some of which are historic.

In actuality, Pasadena voters will decide between two freeway-related initiatives. Measure A supports the extension, while Measure C would require city leaders to remain neutral on the issue. Though state and Federal regulators will have the final say on whether the extension is built, those same officials say they'll consider the outcome of today's balloting when making their final decision.