Access to Alemany to Improve

Dear Traffic Talk:

The westbound lanes of San Fernando Mission Boulevard, west of the Golden State Freeway, were repaired recently. As you approach the San Fernando Mission, there is a blind curve to the right, where the road narrows to one lane.

There are no signs indicating a curve or a lane narrowing and no arrows on the pavement to warn drivers. Given the driveway to enter or exit Alemany High School just past the curve, the frequent foot traffic between the San Fernando Mission and Brand Park and the excessive speeds driven on that stretch, doesn’t this area merit more study?

--Adelaide Tatto

Pacoima

Dear Adelaide:

Workers will restripe San Fernando Mission Boulevard to increase safety by improving access to Alemany High, said Irwin L. Chodash, an East Valley District transportation engineer with the city Department of Transportation.

According to Chodash, the restriping will ease left turns into the school and allow vehicles exiting from an alley east of Noble Avenue to use a turning lane to enter San Fernando Mission Boulevard. A traffic signal also will be installed on a long driveway off Rinaldi Street that allows cars to enter and exit the campus, he said.

City engineers recently investigated the traffic situation near Alemany after school officials had requested a mid-block marked pedestrian crosswalk and additional school crossing signs on San Fernando Mission Boulevard between Columbus and Stranwood avenues.

Investigations revealed few pedestrian crossings and installing a marked crosswalk was not justified, Chodash said. Any missing signs indicating a curve near the San Fernando Mission will be replaced, Chodash added.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I live off Collins Street, between Reseda Boulevard and Wilbur Avenue, and that stretch of the street has been in horrible shape for as long as I can remember.

The black asphalt is almost gone, and dips and holes in the street have made our vehicles age even though they are practically brand new. The city repaved the neighboring major streets but fell short of fixing that stretch. Please help or advise us on how we can get this street resurfaced.

--Tony Mansour

Tarzana

Dear Tony:

The portion of Collins between Wilbur and Yolanda avenues is scheduled to be repaved between July 2001 and June 2002, said Robert Reed, a spokesman at the city public works department.

Although Collins between Yolanda and Reseda is not scheduled for resurfacing, a supervisor will inspect this stretch to determine if it also needs repaving, he said.

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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.