The respected Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College conducts an annual public opinion survey of residents in the San Gabriel Valley. This study is commissioned by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The most recent survey was conducted by telephone in June 2000 of a random sample of 828 adult San Gabriel Valley residents. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.4% at the 95% confidence level. The region covered by the survey includes residents in the cities of: Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park. Clarement, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, La Canada Flintridge, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Pomona, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Walnut, and West Covina.

Of the numerous questions on the survey, a number are relevant to transportation. For instance, 74% of the residents were worried about smog and air pollution and 70% were worried about traffic delays. These were the two highest concerns of residents of those concerns listed in the survey. The 2000 survey showed a significant increase in the willingness of residents to pay more taxes to improve roadways and reduce air pollution. About 64% were willing to pay more taxes to improve roadways and 56% to reduce air pollution. Support for the 710 Freeway was dramatically high with 63% saying they support completion of the 710 Freeway. Only 4% were strongly opposed to 710 Freeway and another 7% were "probably opposed". Thus, residents of the San Gabriel Valley expressing an opinion support completion of the 710 Freeway by a 6 to 1 ratio.