Studio City : Residents Oppose Bridge-Widening

A homeowners group is opposing the proposed widening of the Tujunga Avenue bridge over the Los Angeles River, saying that it will increase traffic, encourage speeders and change the pedestrian-friendly character of the neighborhood.

“The city is in dire financial straits,” said Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Assn. “They don’t need to be spending money on this.”

In a letter faxed Friday to the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Lucente challenged a city report’s finding that the project is necessary and would not worsen the area’s traffic situation. City environmental associate John Berg said he will include residents’ comments--and address them--in the environmental impact report that he will present to the City Council.

The Department of Public Works wants to widen the bridge from two to four lanes to relieve traffic bottlenecks it says are now occurring at the site.

But Lucente said there is no congestion at the bridge, and that downzoning of Tujunga Avenue between the Ventura Freeway and Ventura Boulevard indicates that traffic will not significantly worsen in the future.