Westside traffic: It’s going downhill

Re “Way-Worse Traffic Is the Westside Downside,” Aug. 27

This story explains clearly why Westside traffic has become such a problem. I would add another reason why so many Santa Monica office parks for media companies and other entertainment industry companies have emerged: comfortable transportation into Santa Monica Airport by jet. Jet traffic at this general aviation airport has grown from 1,200 takeoffs and landings in 1983 to about 18,000 today. Air pollution and noise pollution from the jets has homeowners selling to families unaware of what the wind will be blowing their way. Clearly government at all levels has led us down a forlorn road by putting economic interests before more important concerns.

MARTIN RUBIN

Director, Concerned Residents

Against Airport Pollution

Los Angeles

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How can you write an article about how bad the traffic is in Westwood and fail to mention the 800-pound gorilla in our midst: UCLA and all of the traffic and other negative environmental effects it causes?

ALVIN MILDER

Los Angeles

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The traffic on the Westside today is nothing compared to what it will be at “build-out,” when every parcel is developed to the maximum allowable. The affected cities need to revise the land-use portions of their general plans and limit growth to the capacity of the existing infrastructure. Growth should occur only after infrastructure capacity has been increased, not just proposed. The responsibility lies with the city councils and the voters who elect them.

MICHAEL BURCH

La Canada Flintridge

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Has any thought been given to a study of converting Olympic and Pico boulevards into one-way streets? Three cities are involved. The costs would be less than building new roads, busways, light rail and subways. If an agreement were reached, it could be implemented more quickly than any other solution.

JOSEPH STABLER

Beverly Hills