Suit threatened over subway under school

Beverly Hills officials have threatened to sue to stop construction of a Los Angeles subway extension beneath Beverly Hills High School. Beverly Hills city officials had requested a Thursday hearing before the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and a few hundred people turned out for the hearing, the Los Angeles Times reported. Opponents have expressed concerns about the safety of the planned tunnel and subway beneath the high school. "Clearly, if we don't get a fair hearing and have our science [taken] into consideration, then we're going to have no choice" but to sue, said Brian Goldberg, president of the Beverly Hills Unified School District board. "We believe there's alternatives that have not been fully explored yet." The portion of the subway extension that would run beneath the school is part of a $5.6 billion, 9-mile project for which county transportation officials certified environmental documents last month. But officials formally approved only the first 3.9 miles of the extension because Beverly Hills city officials requested the hearing on the portion that would run beneath the school. Metro officials say it's safe to tunnel under the school. Speaking of the hearing, Metro board member Richard Katz said, "It was a chance for Beverly Hills to put on their case; we listened, and we will evaluate their comments." He said a lot of evidence shows it can be safe to build tunnels under buildings, including schools. Katz said he hopes no lawsuit is filed.