When Next He Exits Freeway, He’d Rather See a ‘This Exit’ Sign

Dear Street Smart:

I have a problem figuring out a particular sign located at least 100 feet before reaching an off-ramp from our California freeways, especially the San Diego Freeway.

For example, going north on the San Diego Freeway prior to reaching the Bristol Street exit, there is a posted sign that reads, “South Coast Plaza/Art Center, Next Exit.” What does “Next Exit” mean? “This” exit or the “next” one?

Even though we know from experience that the next exit refers to Bristol, my mind interprets “Next Exit” as Fairview Street. Let’s face it: A driver going 60 m.p.h. needs more warning time than merely 100 feet to exit, especially on Bristol, where two more lanes merge onto the San Diego Freeway from the Costa Mesa Freeway.

I was very satisfied when vacationing in Kentucky for the holidays I noticed a sign on the freeway reading, “XXX Restaurant. This Exit.”

Can you please find a satisfactory explanation from Caltrans for using the word next instead of this ? I am afraid that one of these days my mind will take me to the “next” exit that reads Fairview Street.

Vince Crivello

Santa Ana

Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Orem said: “If we were to specify ‘this ramp,’ it might confuse the motorists to look for a ramp in the immediate area.

“This could be misleading, as the sign ‘South Coast Plaza/Art Center’ is placed at least 400 feet before the ramp.”

The short stretch between the Costa Mesa/San Diego freeway interchange and the Bristol Street off-ramp provides limited space for necessary warning and guide signs, Orem said. The Caltrans traffic manual says that sign cluttering may lead to motorist confusion, she said.

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The Orange County Transportation Authority is hosting a transportation fair Friday through Sunday in the Center Court of the first floor of Brea Mall. The fair, highlighting the past, present and future of transportation in Orange County, will be open during regular mall hours. The fair is one in a series of public events held by OCTA to inform the public of the latest transportation developments. OCTA programs and services designed to improve mobility and ease traffic congestion will be on display, and agency employees will be there to answer questions.

The exhibit will include a zero-emission electric bus, plus the first bus ever used by the Orange County Transit District.

It also will have information and materials on Metrolink commuter train service, which begins in Orange County on March 28.

For more information about the open house, call the South Orange County Chambers of Commerce at (714) 837-3000 or OCTA Community Relations at (714) 560-5597.