Signal Installed to Help Project Get Green Light

Dear Traffic Talk:

Considering how many traffic signals near schools are requested and not supplied, why was a new signal put in less than half a block away from another on Hazeltine Avenue for Bloomingdale’s in Sherman Oaks?

Viola Cooper

North Hollywood

Dear Viola:

All sites proposed for signal installations are judged on the same criteria, which include the density or potential density of traffic, according to authorities.

That particular light was approved primarily because the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square expansion project was expected to generate increased traffic, said Irwin Chodash, a transportation engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

The light was part of an overall package of preparatory measures taken by the developer in order for the Los Angeles City Council to approve the shopping center’s expansion project, he said.

That package also addressed anticipated environmental impacts, including traffic safety, congestion on Riverside Drive and the potential for disturbance of the neighborhood just north of the project, authorities said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Does anyone at Caltrans have maps?

Signs on ramps to the Ventura Freeway are signed north and south but the freeway goes almost due east and west.

For example, a sign in Woodland Hills says “Ventura Freeway south”. But from there, it never goes south. It goes east all the way until it merges with the Foothill Freeway in Pasadena.

Westbound, only near Ventura does it begin to veer north.

The east/west alignment is shown on every map I have ever seen. These signs must be terribly confusing for out-of-town visitors who are following maps and know they want to go east or west.

Mary Morgan

West Hills

Dear Mary:

There are two types of orientation signs that are seen at the onramps and on the Ventura Freeway itself and on streets throughout the city, according to authorities.

The ones at the onramps and on the freeway itself are maintained by Caltrans, said Pat Reid, a spokeswoman for the agency. The ones on city streets are controlled by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Although the freeway travels east and west through some parts of Los Angeles, overall it is a north and south corridor connecting California, Oregon and Washington states.

However, the city has advance east and west signs that guide motorists from streets onto the freeway, according to authorities.

Dear Traffic Talk:

The transition road off the Ronald Reagan Freeway to the southbound San Diego Freeway has bump and paint lane markings that cross over each other.

When does Caltrans plan to re-stripe the paint to match the bumps?

Jeff Halter

Chatsworth

Dear Jeff:

In a few weeks Caltrans plans to re-stripe the eastbound and westbound Simi Valley Freeway connector roads to the southbound San Diego Freeway, said agency spokeswoman Reid.

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