Near Universal City : Freeway Ramp Plan Reviewed

A Caltrans proposal to allow MCA, parent corporation of Universal Studios, to revamp the on- and off-ramps connecting the Hollywood Freeway and Universal City was both praised and criticized at a public hearing Thursday night.

The plan is aimed at speeding traffic into and out of the Universal City office and entertainment complex, thereby reducing traffic congestion throughout the area, caused in part by traffic from the Universal Studios Tour and concerts at the Universal Ampitheater.

Los Angeles and Burbank city representatives, and spokesmen for local chambers of commerce applauded the proposal at a California Department of Transportation hearing at Rio Vista School in Studio City. But homeowner groups said the changes would inconvenience local residents and do little to ease traffic problems.

MCA, which three years ago paid for the construction of a public freeway overpass between Barham and Lankershim boulevards, has received Caltrans support for a $3-million “second phase.”

The plan calls for a new off-ramp and two new on-ramps on the northbound side of the freeway, and other changes, all in the area of Barham Boulevard and Universal Center Drive. A Caltrans hearing officer told 60 people at the hearing that no decision would be made until after Oct. 4, when the public comment period ends.

Most Letters in Favor

Jack Hallin, chief of the Caltrans design branch for the area, said Caltrans had received 20 letters favoring the project and only one opposing it.

Michael Murphy, representing the North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the changes would help remedy the danger created by traffic coming to a standstill in the outside lane of the freeway leading into Universal City. He said they would enable those attending events there “to get into the studio without a pack of cars piling up on the freeway.”

Steven A. Jones, representing the Burbank Redevelopment Agency, said his city also favors the plan.

Opposition was voiced by residents of the hillside neighborhood just south of Universal City, which includes Hollywood Knolls, Lake Hollywood and Hollywood Manor.

Bennett S. Sparks, chairman of the Hollywood Knolls Community Club, called for the project to be suspended and for Caltrans and the city to study traffic congestion “in toto from Sunset (Boulevard) to the Ventura Freeway.”