Forum to Address Carpool Lane Plan

Caltrans will hold a public forum Tuesday to seek reaction on a proposal to add a carpool lane to the Golden State Freeway between the Ventura and Ronald Reagan freeways.

The proposal, which will add one lane in each direction of the freeway, would run through Burbank, Glendale and the east San Fernando Valley.

Construction would begin in December 2004 and take about three years to complete, said Joe Brazile, Caltrans public affairs officer.

Project cost is estimated between $190 million and $210 million, he said.

A carpool lane “will reduce traffic and make it flow smoother,” said Garrett Damrath, environmental planner at Caltrans. “For every one car in the carpool lane, you’re taking at least two out of regular lanes.”

Plans also include a new connector ramp from the northbound Hollywood Freeway to the northbound San Diego Freeway. Caltrans, through eminent domain, would need to acquire 13 houses in order to construct the ramp, Caltrans spokeswoman Margie Tiritilli said.

Caltrans is now looking at 11 properties on Cranford Avenue in Pacoima and two on Tonopah Street in Arleta, she said, adding that the affected property owners have been notified by Caltrans.

Project information is available for review and copying from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the Caltrans District 7 office, 120 S. Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles.

The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Byrd Middle School, 9171 Telfair Ave. in Sun Valley.

Written comments regarding the project should be addressed to Ronald J. Kosinski, Chief Office of Environmental Planning, Caltrans, 120 S. Spring St., Los Angeles 90012.

For more information, call (213) 897-4867.