That Peculiar ‘PCH West’ Sign Helps in Mail Delivery

Dear Street Smart:

There is a sign on the Ventura Freeway that has been incorrect and bothering me for many years.

About 10 miles west of Ventura on the eastbound freeway at Seacliff there is a sign indicating that the next exit will lead to the westbound Pacific Coast Highway. But that exit provides access only to eastbound PCH; there is no westbound road from that point.

Anything traveling west would get very wet, since this is the ocean!

I am very surprised that this direction goof has escaped everyone’s attention for so long--or has it?

Maggie Bird, Ventura

Dear Reader:

This sign may seem strange to you, but it is there for a reason, says Luu Nguyen, traffic engineer for the state Department of Transportation.

Back in 1982, residents living along Pacific Coast Highway met with Caltrans officials to urge them to post the seemingly incorrect sign.

Why? Because their mailing address is PCH West, and postal carriers were not able to find their homes.

“It seems a little screwy, but if we took it down, you’d have a lot of angry homeowners,” Nguyen said.

Since its posting, the sign does not seem to have generated much confusion among motorists--yours is the only complaint that Caltrans has heard of.

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Dear Street Smart:

This is in reply to a recent Street Smart column that discussed installing speed bumps or a stoplight at a crosswalk on Erringer Road in Simi Valley.

I have used that street for 30 years. The crosswalk, between Los Angeles and Royal avenues, has been there for only a few years.

Since it has been there, the amount of bicycle and foot traffic has increased. Last week, my niece witnessed an incident at a similar crosswalk on Sycamore Drive.

A young bike rider crossed Sycamore without stopping at the curb, forcing three cars to slam on their brakes.

Because of this, I would be in favor of a stoplight rather than speed bumps or stop signs.

I walk a lot for my health. Many times, I have seen mothers and fathers on bikes leading several kids on bikes through four-way stops without even slowing down. A stoplight would be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists and less bothersome for motorists.

Neil R. McVey, Simi Valley

Dear Reader:

Your wish has been granted.

Spurred by pleas from a woman whose son was struck and killed on his bicycle in the Erringer crosswalk, the Simi Valley City Council in June agreed to install stoplights at that location. Stoplights will also be installed at the crosswalk on Sycamore and at a similar crossing on Tapo Canyon Road.

The city is still trying to come up with the money to pay for the lights, which will cost about $40,000 apiece.

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Dear Street Smart:

As residents on Bristol Road in Ventura, we have a question that affects safety on our street.

Last year, a traffic signal was installed at Bristol and Ramelli Avenue.

Traffic travels on Bristol at a very fast speed. We personally have witnessed four car accidents at this intersection. The reason behind the accidents is simple. People are trying to turn at the last minute before the light changes!

The problem is exacerbated by a green arrow that was installed as part of the stoplight. It is designed for cars that turn right off Ramelli going west onto Bristol.

But it seems like this green arrow encourages cars to go faster--they speed up to try to make it through before the arrow turns red.

This makes it extremely treacherous for residents who are trying to get out of their driveways.

We realize that traffic needs to keep moving, but at what cost?

For safety’s sake, this green arrow must be removed.

In addition, the speed limit on Bristol must be reduced, or at least enforced at its current level of 45 m.p.h.

We appreciate anything you can do.

Robert and Carey Holland, Ventura

Dear Reader:

Sorry to say, the news is not good.

The city installed the right-turn arrow because of the high volume of cars turning right, says Nazir Lalani, traffic engineer.

During peak hours, more than 400 cars turn right at that intersection, he says.

If the arrow were removed, traffic would back up, causing major congestion in the neighborhood.

Regarding speeding cars, the traffic department has just assumed control of a speed-monitor trailer, which it plans to post at different spots around town.

The purpose of the monitor is to display in large numbers the speed of passing traffic. The idea is that motorists will be more inclined to slow down if they see their excessive speeds writ large.