Freeway Interchange Study

* I just could not believe my eyes this morning (April 27) when I read, “405 / 101 Interchange To Be Studied.” It is incredible that after 10 years or more of talk that more studies are needed to solve the constant gridlock of the Ventura / San Diego freeways. Adding insult to injury, even if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Caltrans were to agree on the suggestions, funding would be approved in 2001 and construction would not begin until 2002. Give me a break!

More incredible are the three options that have been suggested. With all due respect, does Rep. Brad Sherman truly believe that the three options will solve the problem?

* Widening the one-lane connector from the southbound 405 to westbound 101.

* Extending the carpool lane on the northbound 405 south to Greenleaf Street.

* Widening three 101 offramps east of the 405 interchange.

What burns me up is the fact that they are going to waste half a million on something that has been kicked around for years. What happened to all the other studies that have been made?

All taxpayers and users of the 405 and 101 should demand that politicians quit fooling around and concentrate on solving the intolerable gridlock that people have to endure every single day. What has been suggested is like using a Band-Aid to solve the problem that is created by 500,000 vehicles that transit that route every day.

ANDRES G. SANCHEZ

Valley Village