Sherman Oaks: A Magnet for Commuters

* Your Street Smart article on commuters’ trips through the Santa Monica Mountains, “Commuters’ Peculiar Twists and Turns in Going Over the Hill,” (Aug. 25) made me think of Sherman Oaks many years ago when I was attending UCLA. I lived on a private street which connected two of the streets shown in the map accompanying your article. Some people used it as a shortcut in the mornings, even though it was steep and only one lane wide. This was stopped by a landslide that severed the road in 1969, taking an expensive home with it.

Poor Sherman Oaks. In addition to having millions drive through it on the 405 and 101 freeways, this neighborhood must bear the strain of having three of the five hillside routes that your article mentions. Thanks for not mentioning the routes I use.

RICHARD SEDGWICK

Los Angeles