Green Lights Shine Again on Sherman Way

Dear Traffic Talk:

This interesting column always seems to address specific problems but not the systemic issues that really slow traffic, to wit:

Every traffic signal on Sherman Way east between the San Diego Freeway and Coldwater Canyon has been changed to a fixed time, including all left-turn arrows. And most intersections have embedded sensors.

How can one time match 24-hour traffic conditions?

Sherman Way is a major thoroughfare. Although I have not actually timed some intersections, they seem to give more time to minor cross streets.

I’m sure money is a main factor, but really, why all the money for computerizing of Ventura Boulevard when the rest of the Valley lives with this?

Edward H. Joseph, Agoura Hills

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Dear Edward:

A special project started in November on Sherman Way in that area that gave some small streets unnecessary green time has since ended, according to authorities.

Now, the intersections are controlled by independent mechanisms.

The signal-synchronization project affected 15 intersections along Sherman Way between Sepulveda Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway ramps, said Brian Gallagher of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation traffic lights division.

He said that during the fine-tuning process, the minor streets that were normally activated by vehicle sensors, indeed, were set to receive a green light every signal cycle.

This was necessary, Gallagher said, to make sure that most of the traffic on Sherman Way arrived on the green. And when the minor streets got the green themselves, it was necessary to ensure that the traffic on Sherman Way had cleared.

Now that the project is complete, the signals on Tyrone, Ranchito, Allot, Varna and Ethel avenues will turn green only when vehicles are over the detectors in the pavement, or when a pedestrian has pressed the buttons.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

My question is about a bumpy section of the Golden State Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.

The north and southbound lanes in the Sun Valley between the Hollywood Freeway and Burbank Boulevard resemble driving on a washboard. And that’s the way it has been for many years.

I noticed that they have done some work south of Burbank Boulevard, where the freeway is now flat and makes for a nice ride.

I was wondering if and when they are going to do the same for the section north of the repaired stretch.

Jim Reitosh, Northridge

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Dear Jim:

The rough riding conditions around some area freeways have resulted from earth shifts, some caused by the Northridge earthquake, according to authorities.

Caltrans has completed some work on the Golden State south of Burbank Boulevard to smooth the surface, said Pat Reid, a spokeswoman for the agency.

And now, she said, the agency has secured funds to implement additional repairs on portions of the freeway in the Sun Valley area--north of the first repairs.

The contract will be advertised to contractors in the near future, Reid said. The agency expects actual work to begin spring.