Rapid Transit Should Follow Freeway

* Freeway 101 is the Valley’s busiest, according to The Times Valley Briefing “Heavy Traffic” Aug. 21. This freeway is the corridor between the Conejo Valley and downtown Los Angeles. All the more reason to favor the freeway route over the Burbank-Chandler route for building rapid transit.

Ridership is an important consideration. The visual impact of a speeding monorail passing stalled traffic will do more to persuade people to climb aboard than an expensive advertising campaign.

It is inconceivable why there is any support for the Burbank-Chandler route. It is more expensive, does not deal with the commute traffic, and half the route is planned underground. With the high water table, that will be a problem. Look at what is happening in Hollywood. Residents and store owners are having to be evacuated because of the sinking street. Where the Burbank-Chandler route does not go underground, it will be an aboveground eyesore. Also, with the Valley’s seismic activity, residents will be more inclined to take their chances aboveground, even though Bay Area Rapid Transit proved safe during the Loma Prieta quake.

Many coalitions and associations have endorsed the Burbank-Chandler route, purporting to speak for thousands of members. I have personal knowledge of one such association vote with about 7,000 members--the members were not asked their opinion. This is disturbing, particularly as several years ago, when the choice was on the ballot, the people voted overwhelmingly for the freeway route.

PAULINE TALLENT

Winnetka