HOT SPOTS ON LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS

The Virginia-based American Trucking Assns. on Tuesday released a new pamphlet, “How to Drive on Los Angeles’ Freeways/Advice From Professional Truck Drivers,” which included a map showing freeway “hot spots.” The group prepared the map using information provided by the California Department of Transportation and California Highway Patrol.

1. San Diego Freeway (I-405) at Ventura Freeway (101). Southbound on I-405, exiting onto 101 eastbound, traffic enters fast lane of 101. On Ventura watch merging traffic.

2. & 3. Ventura Freeway at Hollywood/Golden State. Changes route numbers (from 101 to 134) at Hollywood Freeway, so follow signs carefully. Westbound Ventura contracts to one lane passing over Hollywood Freeway, then merges with Hollywood traffic. Eastbound on Ventura, motorists cannot exit north onto Golden State or Hollywood; westbound on Ventura, there is no exit to travel south on either Hollywood or Golden State freeways.

4. Golden State Freeway (I-5) at Glendale Freeway (2). Interchange of Glendale and Golden State can be dangerous, with traffic weaving across lanes entering or exiting Golden State at Stadium Way and then crossing to get onto Glendale Freeway.

5. Pasadena Freeway (Route 110). L.A.’s oldest freeway, originally the Arroyo Seco Parkway built between 1920-1947. Narrow lanes--only three in each direction--and frequent tight curves. Lack of acceleration or deceleration lanes for merging traffic can cause accidents at exits. Trucks not allowed.

6. Glendale Freeway (Route 2) at Glendale Boulevard. At southern end freeway suddenly “dumps” onto Glendale Boulevard, narrowing from five to two lanes, with backups frequent. Watch for stopped traffic.

7. Pasadena (110) at Golden State (I-5). Northbound, the Pasadena Freeway passes through a series of tunnels that can be tricky. Then, northbound exiting onto I-5 (Golden State Freeway) north, a sharp left-hand exit immediately follows a tunnel, and many motorists are surprised by the sudden sign, “Golden State Northbound.” Also, beware of motorists who stop in the second lane to cut into traffic exiting left onto I-5.

8. The “Four-Level” (Routes 101 and 110) interchange. Massive, complex interchange involves tight turns on connectors, with vegetation often blocking long-distance vision. Sudden backups on connectors frequent. Be especially alert for weaving traffic northbound on 101 onto 110/Pasadena Freeway northbound, where exit is not well defined.

9. Harbor Freeway (I-110) south of the “Four-Level.”Pasadena Freeway southbound joins Hollywood Freeway southbound under the “four-level,” just before numerous downtown exits. Stretch involves heavy mixing of exiting and entering traffic, requiring caution and courtesy in yielding.

10. “Gopher Hole”/Downtown Slot. Tunnel at Santa Ana Freeway at Hollywood and San Bernardino freeways: limited sight distance and sun blindness can be tricky. Congestion, backups result from traffic squeeze into tunnel.

11. East L.A. interchange. An engineering marvel. Brings together the Golden State, Santa Ana, Pomona, and Santa Monica freeways. Follow signs carefully--and, if you make a mistake, stick with it; do not back up or change course suddenly. Involves several high-speed merges with right-, left-, and center-lane merging traffic. (Example: eastbound Santa Monica to southbound Santa Ana involves tricky center lane, or internal merge, requiring care and attention.)

12. Harbor Freeway (I-110) south of Santa Monica Freeway. South of Santa Monica Freeway, Harbor Freeway narrows to eight lanes, with heavy traffic. Accidents occur three times more frequently than similar freeways in state. Exercise care in merging.

13. Santa Ana Freeway (I-5). Between East L.A. interchange and I-710, Santa Ana Freeway allows shoulder traffic during peak hours. Avoid stopping on shoulder for any reason; get off freeway if at all possible.

14. Long Beach/Santa Ana (I-710/I-5) interchange. Left-hand exits at this interchange often cause sudden weaving by surprised motorists. Left-hand exits from I-710 north onto I-5 north, I-710 south onto I-5 south, and I-5 north onto I-710 north.

15. Los Angeles Airport (LAX) area. Listen to AM 530 radio for airport-area traffic information.