No Solution Seen for Poor Interchange

Dear Traffic Talk:

The woefully inadequate exit from the northbound Pasadena Freeway to the northbound Golden State Freeway coming into the San Fernando Valley creates one of the most hazardous traffic conditions in Southern California.

Although, in my judgment, between one-third and one-half of the drivers on the congested four lanes of the northbound Pasadena Freeway wish to exit to the northbound Golden State Freeway, only one lane is available for the exit.

To make matters worse, the lane is on the left-hand side and is relatively sharp.

Traffic comes to a stop and backs up for more than a mile in the exit lane while through-traffic speeds by.

It is absolutely essential that the exit be reconfigured so that drivers will be permitted to use the No. 2 lane to exit as well as to proceed northbound on the Pasadena Freeway.

Although reconfiguring the exit to permit exits from the No. 2 lane may result in some construction work, it seems that the project would be very minor compared to the monumental projects underway elsewhere in Los Angeles County.

What can be done to get Caltrans moving on this?

Norman Pedersen

Los Angeles

Dear Norman:

The main factor slowing traffic at the interchange from the northbound Pasadena to the Golden State Freeway is not the lack of a second exit lane but the sharp-curve design of the connector road leaving the Pasadena Freeway, according to authorities.

Motorists ordinarily slow from 55 mph to about 35 mph to safely make the interchange, said Pat Reid, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Unfortunately, she said, the connector road’s geometrics are not adequate to safely install a two-lane exit.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Reseda Park is a playground used by tennis players, baseball teams and a senior citizens group every day.

The park’s limited parking is made much worse by several huge 18-wheeler trucks that routinely park on Victory or Reseda boulevards.

Each truck takes up the space of at least three compact cars.

Saturdays are the most crowded days. On one recent Saturday there were two trucks parked on Victory and three on Reseda on the side of the park.

Frequently, the trucks are there overnight--not just for an hour or two.

Can anything be done to prevent these trucks from limiting residents’ parking around Reseda Park?

Lee Lester

Van Nuys

Dear Lee:

Presently, there are no restrictions against commercial vehicles parking on Reseda and Victory boulevards adjacent to the park, said T.K. Prime, senior transportation engineer in the Parking Regulation Division under the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

To get a parking restriction against commercial vehicles enacted, a petition signed by at least two-thirds of the property owners in the area should be presented to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

The request would eventually be presented to parking regulation for enforcement, Prime said.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley@latimes.com