Caltrans Presents Plans for Relieving Bottleneck

A team of Caltrans officials presented proposals Thursday night for a two-phase project that would improve the bottlenecked San Diego and Ventura Freeway interchange, but key decisions on how to proceed with the project are still pending.

Officials used blueprints, aerial photos and other displays to describe the proposed projects, but some residents said they weren’t sure how or if it would alleviate the gridlock at the interchange. Caltrans said it thoroughly researched several proposals, but needed community input.

“We are not recommending an option at this time; that’s why we are here,” said Ronald J. Kosinski, chief of environmental planning for the state Department of Transportation. “We are looking at all options at this time.”

For a traffic headache that affects thousands of motorists every day, the turnout at the meeting--only about 50 people--was light. Some of those in attendance at the Radisson Valley Center Hotel in Sherman Oaks have businesses or homes near the anticipated project.

The first phase of the project, scheduled to begin in fall 2001, is fairly straightforward: widening of the connector from the northbound San Diego Freeway to the southbound Ventura Freeway. It should take about two years and cost about $6.8 million.

The second phase of the project--which is not slated to begin until summer 2004--is more complex.

Four options have been proposed by Caltrans. They are designed to improve traffic flow for cars using the combined San Diego/Ventura Freeway onramp system near Greenleaf Street south of Ventura Boulevard.

The options are designed to make it easier for motorists to merge into freeway traffic without crossing traffic lanes. Proposals include adding onramps that go above or below the freeway, shifting the onramp location and adding connector lanes.

The possibility that his father’s business would be affected brought out Arman Tate. He said his father has run Mike’s Shoe Repair on Sepulveda Boulevard near the interchange for more than 20 years, and if the building were taken away, customers might not follow.

“He has a very reasonable rent there, so if he has to move, rent will be higher,” Tate said.

Tom Grant, a Sherman Oaks resident, said he worried that the project would not address one of the biggest causes of traffic snarls: the congested eastbound Ventura Freeway lanes from the west Valley to downtown Los Angeles.

“I work from 6:30 a.m. to 3 just to avoid the traffic,” Grant said of his job as a budget analyst for the city.

A final environmental impact report will be ready in September, when Caltrans will make a recommendation on the project.

Written comments on the project can be sent to: Ronald J. Kosinski, Chief, Office of Environmental Planning, Caltrans--Department of Transportation, 120 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.