QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT YOUR COMMUTE

Dear Traffic Talk:

Caltrans is aggressively building diamond lanes on the Antelope Valley Freeway. I must say they are doing a great job setting barricades protecting drivers and themselves and keeping traffic flowing.

But I wonder how many drivers know that the speed limit in the diamond lanes is 65 mph, what the solid double yellow lines or broken white lines mean or the other rules of the lanes?

Richard Labickas

North Hollywood

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Dear Richard:

Caltrans has all types of signs posted around the county instructing motorists on the use of carpool lanes.

Other ways drivers can learn the general rules of the lanes include calling local California Highway Patrol public affairs offices or purchasing the California Vehicle Code--available for $3 at any DMV office.

Here are a few highlights from the vehicle code:

* Carpool lanes require two or more occupants per vehicle in Los Angeles County, except the El Monte Busway on the San Bernardino Freeway, which requires three people.

* All motorcycles are allowed in the lanes, unless specifically prohibited by a traffic control device.

* Access into and out of the lanes is restricted to designated locations marked by white dashed lines.

* It is illegal to cross the double yellow lines to enter or exit the lanes. The only exception is to exit abruptly when an emergency vehicle displaying red lights and sirens is approaching.

* The speed limit in the carpool lanes is the same as in the regular lanes of that freeway. No passing in the carpool lanes is allowed.

* Violators of any carpool lane regulation could receive a citation with a minimum fine of $271.

Motorists can also read the California Vehicle Code on the Internet at www.dmv.ca.gov

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Dear Traffic Talk:

Camarillo Street from Tujunga Avenue to Clybourn Avenue has to be the bumpiest and most potholed street in the San Fernando Valley. A nearby tire dealer even uses it to test new tires.

Lillian Heimer

Toluca Lake

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Dear Lillian:

There are different repaving plans for sections of Camarillo in that area, according to the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Maintenance.

The section from Vineland to Clybourn is in the bureau’s 1997-98 resurfacing program.

However, the work has been put on hold until January 1999 to allow utility companies to repair sewers in the area, said Steve Burke, a bureau engineer.

The stretch between Vineland and Tujunga avenues is not in the resurfacing program, but will be submitted for the next round of selections.

Temporary pothole repairs on Camarillo in that area were performed in September, Burke said. Minor patch work will continue until more permanent repairs can be made on larger sections of the street.

The selection of streets for the resurfacing program is an ongoing, citywide process involving the advice of many sources, including City Council representatives, according to authorities.

Streets that are eligible for repaving one year but are not selected are reconsidered the following year, Burke said.

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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