West Valley Carpool Lanes Open

West San Fernando Valley and Ventura County commuters tired of looking at construction on the 118 Freeway for more than two years will finally be allowed to use carpool lanes and the second of two park-and-ride lots that are scheduled to open today after a short ceremony.

The 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, sponsored by Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was to be held at the Winnetka Avenue park-and-ride lot, said Pat Reid, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

She said about 30 people were expected to participate--including state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), MTA Board Chairman Larry Zarian, California Highway Patrol Southern Division Chief Edward Gomez, MTA Board member Mel Wilson and Kristen Stark, representing Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita).

The eastbound 12-mile-stretch of the carpool lane--officially called a high-occupancy-vehicle lane--between the Golden State Freeway and the Ventura County line is scheduled to open shortly after the ceremony, Reid said. The westbound stretch is scheduled to be open in time for the late afternoon commute.

The grand opening of the carpool lanes and the two park-and-ride lots--at Winnetka Avenue and the already-opened facility at Chatsworth Street and Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills--completes work on a $23-million project that began in August 1994, authorities said.

The two park-and-ride lots contain a combined 287 parking spaces.

“The benefits of HOV lanes are faster commute trips, reduced congestion and better air quality,” said Brent Felker, Caltrans District 7 director.

Unlike other Caltrans carpool-lane projects, this one involved more than just building the lanes and park-and-ride facilities.

“It really has a lot of dimensions,” Reid said.

Other elements included seven sound walls built in different neighborhoods along the project and regular lanes opened at various times during the work, authorities said.

For instance, before Thursday’s ceremony, already-operating features of the project included a six-mile stretch in both directions between Topanga Canyon and Balboa boulevards, which was converted from three to four lanes.

There was another conversion from three to four lanes in the eastbound direction between the Ventura County line and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Reid said.

The project--funded through a combination of federal, state and local sales taxes--is part of a continuing effort to reduce congestion on Southern California freeways, according to authorities.

“West Valley commuters can now enjoy all the benefits of carpooling, including saving valuable time on their commute to and from work,” Zarian said.

With Thursday’s opening, the Caltrans’ High Occupancy Vehicle Program has 124 miles of single-direction lanes and 260 miles of both-direction lanes.

Last year alone, the agency opened in Los Angeles County 35 miles of single-direction lanes--including 10.1 miles on the San Diego Freeway, 6.1 miles on the Hollywood Freeway and 7.8 miles on the Ventura Freeway, all in the Valley. This year the agency plans to open 45 more miles, Reid said.

There are 692 miles of carpool lanes statewide, according to Caltrans.

Reid said the Valley project was finished on time despite heavy rains this winter.

Its completion “signifies MTA’s commitment to providing funding or transportation projects aimed at relieving traffic congestion,” Zarian said.