Sign Points to Complexity of Getting Traffic Patterns Changed

Dear Street Smart:

Please tell us why you can’t make a left turn from Larchmont onto Grovemont in Santa Ana. I have been all over the United States and have never seen this situation before. If there is no logical reason for this, how do we remove the restriction?

Bruce McIver

Santa Ana

More than five years ago, the residents on Grovemont Street asked the city of Santa Ana to place a sign on Larchmont Avenue that would prevent motorists from using their neighborhood as a shortcut, said Ruth Smith, associate engineer for the city government. At that time, the neighborhood was receiving an unusually heavy flow of cut-through traffic because nearby Santiago Bridge had been closed to traffic, eliminating the ability to turn off other stretches of Larchmont, Smith said.

Because no substantial complaints were lodged by the neighbors who requested the “no left turn” sign, it remained in place after Santiago Bridge reopened. In order to remove the sign, the city would have to review the area to see how traffic control would be affected, Smith said.

Grovemont Street residents followed a fairly simple process set by the city to get the sign installed, Smith said. Now, however, a complex system is in place for groups that want to change traffic patterns. The process involves months, if not years, of planning and cooperation by many factions.

Neighbors must first ask the city to review the area they believe needs improvement. The city must determine if minor adjustments can be made, such as installing stop signs that can be easily removed if they cause problems, Smith said. If more permanent solutions are desired, residents must petition the city and demonstrate there is a problem that affects at least 30% of the dwelling units in an area. Then they must work with city traffic engineers to develop a plan.

The plan goes through many revisions based on public feedback and approval by Fire and Police departments before a neighborhood election is held. If the project wins a two-thirds majority, it goes to the City Council for final approval.

Dear Street Smart:

I commute daily from southern Orange County to El Segundo. I am interested in using mass transit, so I recently called the Metrolink center for information. I was told that effective December, 1993, I will be able to take Amtrak from San Juan Capistrano to Norwalk and connect on the Green Line to El Segundo. However, when the Times ran a series on the Metrolink system several weeks ago, the schematic did not indicate the ability to make a transfer in Norwalk.

What is the accurate story? Can a commuter use the rail system from southern Orange County to El Segundo or only to downtown Los Angeles? Or did I misinterpret the Times articles?

Mrs. Michael Allen

San Clemente

Metrolink has so many projects being planned that the confusion about service to El Segundo may have come when you asked their information center about the time frame. Here’s the correct information, according to Metrolink spokesman Peter Hidalgo.

In December, Metrolink will take over the commuter train service that is currently operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority. Additional trains, including light-rail connecting trains, will gradually be added to the existing commuter rail.

It is anticipated that by the end of 1994, commuters will be able to take a Metrolink train from San Juan Capistrano to the Norwalk station, then take a shuttle to the Norwalk Green Line Station where they can pick up the Metro Green Line that travels to El Segundo. Currently, there is no Norwalk station and no rail system to El Segundo, Hidalgo said.

In early December, 1993, Metrolink expects to begin service to five counties from Oceanside in San Diego County up to Los Angeles Union Station, Hidalgo said.

“The rail is at its first phase with limited service. However, we can all anticipate considerable expansion through the five counties . . . whether it’s the big (trains) or the electric light-rail connecting services with Metrolink and other systems,” Hidalgo said.

Dear Street Smart:

Two very dangerous intersections exist in San Juan Capistrano--one at Valle Road and San Juan Creek Road and the other at La Novia Avenue and Valle Road. We desperately need signal lights there.

There are stop signs, but people do not always stop. Vision is somewhat limited at Valle and San Juan Creek Road and traffic backs up there. Quite a few accidents have occurred here. The La Novia-Valle intersection is an awkward transition from the northbound Interstate 5. I hope signals can be installed soon.

D. Darwin

San Juan Capistrano

Those intersections have been targeted for refurbishing with signal lights and other improvements, but the start of the repairs depends on the economy, said Bud Vokoun, senior civil engineer in the Traffic Engineering Department for San Juan Capistrano.

“We recognize the need (for signals),” Vokoun said. “Signals cost about $90,000 to $110,000, but both these intersections also need road improvements which will cost considerably more than that.”

While the city is looking at these areas with interest, it looks like patience will have to be the watchword for some time to come.

Street Smart appears Mondays in The Times Orange County Edition. Readers are invited to submit comments and questions about traffic, commuting and what makes it difficult to get around in Orange County. Include simple sketches if helpful. Letters may be published in upcoming columns. Please write to Caroline Lemke, c/o Street Smart, The Times Orange County, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Include your full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted.