No Remedy Now for Lack of Call Boxes

Dear Traffic Talk:

I use the Antelope Valley freeway for my daily commute and I am concerned about the lack of emergency call boxes along the construction corridor between Canyon Country and the Agua Dulce/Vasquez Rocks area.

Presumably, the boxes have been removed to facilitate the widening project. However, this is a remote and isolated stretch of freeway. Being stranded on this stretch of freeway could cause grief and anxiety among motorists.

I urge Caltrans to reconnect some of the boxes, albeit on a temporary basis, even if they are spaced up to a mile apart instead of the usual quarter mile.

David Buchan

Lancaster

Dear David:

Sorry, but Caltrans cannot help you in this situation.

During construction, which includes major excavation, telephone lines and other utility lines are in the process of being relocated, said Presley Burroughs, a planner at Caltrans.

If telephone lines were made available, Caltrans would not be able to reinstall call boxes on a temporary basis in this case because there is no emergency parking available in the area during construction, Burroughs said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Could you please advise me as to the proper authorities concerning the implementation of a stoplight?

I live near a very dangerous four-way stop sign intersection at Valley Circle Boulevard and Highlander Road in West Hills.

While watching the intersection from my yard, I will see at least one motorist every day drive through without looking or braking. If the local residents didn’t drive very defensively, there would be numerous accidents. I have seen quite a few fender benders here.

Recently, I walked through the intersection with my son when a car drove right past us at more than 30 mph. The driver didn’t acknowledge the stop sign or our presence.

What can I do?

Mark Grossman

West Hills

Dear Mark:

The person you should contact is Ray Wellbaum, transportation engineer at the West Valley District Office of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. He requests that you write him a detailed letter explaining the situation. His address is 19040 Vanowen St., Reseda 91335.

Upon receiving the letter, Wellbaum said, LADOT engineers will go to the intersection to see if the stop signs are readily visible. If not, LADOT may consider an advance-warning sign to alert motorists of a stop sign-controlled intersection.

As requested in your letter, LADOT may also consider installing a four-way signal light.

But in the case of motorists recklessly disregarding the stop sign, for whatever reason, Wellbaum recommends that you contact the Valley Traffic Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.

You can call the Complaint Unit of the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 756-8514. Officer Gary Lewis of the Valley Traffic Division said police officers will be on hand to issue citations to violators. The fine for running a stop sign typically runs $104 and up.

In the meantime, Lewis recommends driving defensively, taking extra precautions when approaching the intersection and not assuming other motorists will do the right thing by making a full stop at the intersection.

*

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