Traffic Light Timing Will Be Changed

Dear Traffic Talk:

The traffic light at the intersection of Mulholland Drive and Mulholland Highway favors Mulholland Highway, even though Mulholland Drive gets more traffic.

This means the traffic on Mulholland Drive is often waiting at a red light when there is no traffic coming from Mulholland Highway.

Perhaps the city traffic department could take a look at the intersection and make some changes.

--Marshall Mahl, Woodland Hills

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Dear Marshall:

A city maintenance crew discovered that the signal sensors were getting stuck, causing the traffic signal to turn green for Mulholland Highway, even when there isn’t any traffic, said Brian Gallagher, a signal timing engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

The signal light settings were examined, and new signal timing strategies were created, he said.

Look for an improvement in a couple of weeks, once the vehicle sensors are replaced and the new signal timing is set, Gallagher said.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

For decades, I have driven northbound Interstate 5 from downtown Los Angeles to where it separates from the Pasadena Freeway.

Only a single lane goes through there, and the traffic backs up for miles, standing still all the time. I believe there is enough room for Caltrans to re-stripe the freeway and make room for two lanes.

To eliminate traffic hazards and frustrations, there should be two lanes going through there. I strongly request improvement of this situation, which has been neglected for a long time.

--Bob Yamauchi, Burbank

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Dear Bob:

Caltrans investigators are studying ways to improve traffic on the northbound interchanges of the Golden State and Pasadena freeways, said Presley Burroughs, a spokesman for Caltrans.

However, re-striping the wide lane to make way for two lanes is not an option because the tunnels and bridges near the interchange are too narrow, Burroughs said.

There’s no word on what will be done next, as he said Caltrans officials are still investigating.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

A bit of confusion exists at the Parkway Calabasas onramp to the southbound 101 freeway.

On the approach to the onramp, signs indicate the curb lane is a “right turn only” for the 101 south onramp. The middle and third lanes are marked “101 North,” with arrows pointing straight ahead.

Just beyond the south 101 onramp, a sign indicates the middle and third lanes turn right onto the north 101 onramp. Confusion arises because many drivers think this applies to the south 101 onramp.

Non-carpool drivers must immediately get in the left lane of the onramp, often at the risk of colliding with cars making illegal right turns from the middle lane.

Moving the directional sign approximately 100 feet east would eliminate the confusion. Can that be done?

--Richard Peck, Calabasas

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Dear Richard:

Another sign is on order and should be posted within a month, said Caltrans spokesman Burroughs.

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. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley.news@latimes.com