Two Temecula City Council members on Tuesday night reiterated their traffic concerns over the possible construction of a casino in the Hemet area and the difficulties in communicating with the Indian tribe that might pursue the plan.
Repeating many of the concerns detailed last month, councilmen Ron Roberts and Mike Naggar said they fear the traffic impacts that could occur if the Soboba tribe moves forward with plans to build a casino at a more visible location near Diamond Valley Lake.

They said Murrieta, Canyon Lake and Riverside County have also not received tribal responses to their written concerns, which also have been forwarded to federal lawmakers. Naggar estimated the cost to offset the potential traffic increases on Winchester Road and other area streets and highways could total $50 million to $75 million.

The Soboba tribe is examining a possible move to about 128 acres at the intersection of Domenigoni Parkway and Winchester Road that the tribe hopes to annex to its reservation lands.

--Tim O'Leary
toleary@pe.com