Backup of Left Turns Leads to Daily Gridlock

Dear Traffic Talk:

Beginning about 3 p.m. and continuing through the afternoon rush, making a left turn at DeSoto Avenue from the westbound exit of the Ventura Freeway becomes an exercise in patience.

Cars leaving the westbound exit in the two left lanes are prevented from turning left onto DeSoto due to vehicles blocking the intersection. Motorists who fail to make their left-hand turns often have to back up, or they too block the intersection.

Usually I wait through two lights or more to safely complete the left turn. I have never seen any law enforcement during this temporary gridlock, even though the California Highway Patrol office is a few short blocks away.

Perhaps you can help.

Moira J. Curry

Woodland Hills

Dear Moira:

Ray Wellbaum, transportation engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, investigated the westbound DeSoto off-ramp and agrees with you. He, too, said there is a severe problem of vehicles blocking the intersection, not only by motorists traveling south on DeSoto but also those turning left from the westbound off-ramp.

Wellbaum also discovered that the intersection, although in close proximity to the CHP office, is under jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department.

But the CHP, or any state agency, can cite motorists for blocking the intersection under the state anti-gridlock code: “driver entering an intersection prohibited by traffic,” said Officer C. Rufallo of the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division.

CHP Sgt. Ernie Sanchez has confirmed that CHP officers have issued traffic citations to motorists for blocking the intersection.

Presently, there is a sign that reads “Do not block intersection.”

Help may be on the way in the form of additional signs. Wellbaum said he has assigned an engineer to issue a work order to install a “Keep clear” sign at the intersection.

It is hoped that more signs will help motorists realize they must keep the intersection clear to reduce congestion during peak hours.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Every morning, I drive west on the Ronald Reagan Freeway past the southbound transition road onto the Golden State Freeway. Underneath the transition road is a device with a 20-foot telescoping pole with what appears to be a camera mounted on top.

Is this a speed-monitoring video camera that is photographing our license plates as we go by?

Bob Milka

San Fernando

Dear Bob:

For those who habitually violate the speed limit on the Reagan Freeway, have no fear. The camera does not monitor speed or photograph license plates.

It’s a device that monitors traffic congestion and accidents, said Presley Burroughs, public information officer at Caltrans.

In the case of an accident, the camera will focus on the location to determine the effect it has on traffic flow, Burroughs said.

Depending on the situation, an incident response team may be mobilized to shut a portion of the freeway and detour traffic to other locations, he said. When the team is mobilized, the CHP and media are automatically notified of the situation, he added.

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