Don’t Cross Yellow Lines--Whether 2 or 4

Dear Traffic Talk:

Typically, there is a double yellow line that runs between the carpool lane and the fast line on most freeways. But in some areas, the carpool lane is separated by a “double-double” yellow line.

What’s the difference?

Also, can a driver legally cross over the “double” yellow lines?

Rob Sweet

Arcadia

Dear Rob:

The “double-double” yellow line provides an additional safety buffer, especially in areas that experience large speed differences among motorists traveling in the carpool lane and those traveling in the fast lane, particularly during times of heavy traffic congestion, said Sgt. Jose Vasquez of the California Highway Patrol’s Sacramento headquarters.

Otherwise, there is no difference, Vasquez said.

Regarding your second question, by law, motorists cannot legally cross over the double yellow lines into or out of carpool lanes or any other special purpose lanes, said Presley Burroughs, public information director at Caltrans.

The only areas where carpool lane ingress and egress can occur are at specially marked broken white lines, which are usually located near freeway interchanges, exits and entrances, Burroughs said. He added that the broken white lines are strategically placed to allow motorists to safely exit the carpool lane and merge over to get to freeway exchanges and exits.

*

Dear Traffic Talk:

When is the city of Los Angeles going to repave Corbin Avenue between Sherman Way and the Ventura Freeway?

Last year, they repaved Corbin from Sherman Way through Northridge. Now it’s time for them to repave in the other direction. I think we’ve all waited long enough. I know I certainly have.

Wayne Anthony

Winnetka

Dear Wayne:

The Bureau of Street Maintenance is aware of this problem on Corbin Avenue, south of Sherman Way.

Bureau officials filed two work orders for resurfacing Corbin, one from Sherman Way to Topham Avenue and the other from Topham to Ventura Boulevard, for the 1998-99 Annual Resurfacing Program, said Richard Evans, superintendent of West Valley Street Maintenance, which handles street repair work in areas west of the San Diego Freeway.

Unfortunately, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer for the street to be repaved.

Before the resurfacing can be done, the street must be cleared by utility companies that do maintenance work beneath the surface, Evans said. In this case, the Department of Water and Power is upgrading water lines that run beneath Corbin, he said.

The water line upgrade is not scheduled to be finished until May 31, 1999, Evans said. As a result, the resurfacing of Corbin is being deferred by the bureau until the water line project is done.

Evans said a second work order has been proposed for the 2000-01 Annual Resurfacing Program. This order, like the previous one, must be cleared for work by utility companies.

*

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.