Timing of Signals Questioned

Dear Traffic Talk:

As I drive westbound on Sherman Way every morning, I almost always encounter a red light at Jordan Avenue, even though there is rarely traffic on Jordan.

By the time the light is green again for westbound traffic on Sherman Way, vehicles get to Topanga Canyon Boulevard just in time to wait for another red light. Is there a way the timing of the traffic signal at Sherman Way and Jordan can be changed?

Keeping the westbound Sherman Way signal at Jordan green, with a sensor to allow a green light for Jordan, would seem to be the best solution.

Jared Hedden

Reseda

Dear Jared:

The signal timing was changed to improve traffic progression for westbound motorists on Sherman Way at Jordan, said Bill J. Shao , a transportation engineer at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

However, westbound drivers on Sherman Way must still stop awhile at Topanga Canyon because of that intersection’s complex turning and through traffic, he said.

Jordan already has a loop detector and it’s working properly, Shao said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

A Traffic Talk column indicated that the northbound and southbound stoplights on Chatsworth Drive--the light at the Golden State Freeway offramp and the signal at Laurel Canyon Boulevard--in Mission Hills had been synchronized.

Well, unless one wants to validate one’s car’s ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in three seconds, one cannot make both signals. What happened?

Helen Aragon

San Fernando

Dear Helen:

Last October, the city synchronized these two signals, which are spaced shortly apart, during morning peak hours so they could run simultaneously, said Shao, of the transportation department.

Recently, engineers synchronized the signals again, this time during morning, midday and afternoon hours, and they are now better coordinated, he said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I have lived on Albers Street, between Hazeltine and Woodman Avenues, for eight years. Our street is uneven and has numerous potholes. I have heard from neighbors who have lived on this street for 20 years and they have never seen anything but numerous minor street repairs on it.

Can you tell me if there are any plans to repave this street? If not, how can we get scheduled?

David Schwartz

Sherman Oaks

Dear David:

This area qualifies for resurfacing, but it is not scheduled for any work, said Cora Jackson-Fossett, a spokeswoman for the city public works department. To get scheduled for repaving, she suggested you call your City Council member or the city’s street maintenance division at (213) 485-3427.

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