Financial Barrier Delays Installing Berm at Intersection

Dear Street Smart:

Here’s an accident waiting to happen:

As a result of the California 118 construction in east Ventura, eastbound Henderson Road near the highway has been made into a right-turn-only lane.

However, I regularly see people turning left from Henderson so that they can enter the Santa Paula Freeway or Wells Road.

This is very dangerous because at the same time these cars are turning left from Henderson, there are cars turning left onto Henderson.

Is it possible to install a cement barrier to prevent cars from turning left from Henderson, since the sign does not seem to be working?

Laurie Kitchens, Ventura

Dear Reader:

A barrier is possible, Ventura City Engineer Rick Raves says.

But the state Department of Transportation and the city of Ventura share responsibility for that intersection, and getting one of them to agree to pay to install a berm could be tough.

“If we insist on it, we could get Caltrans to build it,” Raves said. “But they would want us to pay for it, and we would want them to pay for it.”

Although Caltrans has agreed to consider installing a berm, getting somebody to agree to foot the bill can take years, Raves says.

Even if the money could be found to pay for the project, there may not be enough room at the intersection to install it, he adds.

Your best bet, he says, is to use extra caution near that intersection.

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Dear Street Smart:

Recently, there was an accident at the intersection of Foothill and Day roads in Ventura. It was just one of many at this spot.

Even the police admit that this is one of the most dangerous intersections in Ventura.

Skidding and honking occur all day long, and accidents are a regular event.

The blind curves, combined with speeding traffic, make it impossible to turn left onto Foothill from Day.

It is also very difficult for pedestrians to cross Foothill into Arroyo Verde Park.

Foothill needs stop signs.

Must someone die for the city to address this problem?

Mike Mayfield, Ventura

Dear Reader:

The city is aware of the dangers at Foothill and Day roads, and is closely monitoring the traffic volume, City Engineer Rick Raves says.

However, the city must follow state guidelines before it installs stop signs or signals, he adds.

Once the city counts enough traffic to warrant a stop sign or signal, the intersection goes onto a list of projects and must wait its turn for funding, Raves says.

In the meantime, the city is working on a plan to improve visibility at the intersection by shaving a hillside west of Day Road.

As part of the same project, the city plans to straighten Foothill Road slightly.

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Dear Street Smart:

Your Feb. 7 and April 11 columns both discuss bicycle lanes and when cars are allowed to drive in them.

The general rule for solid white bike lane lines is the same as for solid yellow lines: Do not cross.

That is why bicycle lane stripes are broken at corners. The broken lines indicate that it is OK to cross into the lane.

If everyone would obey this rule, bicycle lanes would be much safer!

Kermit Heid, Moorpark

Dear Reader:

As you point out, motorists planning to turn right should not enter the bike lane until they are near the intersection, when the solid white line becomes a dashed line.

Of course, motorists should not automatically veer into the bike lane at first sight of the dashed line. They should check first for bike riders.

The relationship between bicyclists and motorists can be an uneasy one, and following the rules of the road could go a long way toward keeping tempers cool and roads safe.