Upgrades Promised at Dangerous Crossings

By ANDREW BLANKSTEIN

Aug. 9, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Saying that small things can make a big difference, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn announced Wednesday that more than two dozen of the city’s most dangerous intersections would be improved to ease congestion and make them safer.

The $1-million improvements will include motion-sensitive lights at crosswalks, new signals and extra left-turn arrows and lanes at the 25 intersections with the most accidents and highest pedestrian and traffic volume, Hahn said in a news conference at Burbank Elementary School in North Hollywood.

The projects are scheduled to be completed in the next eight months and will be paid for by transportation funds in the city budget, officials said. Ten intersections are in the San Fernando Valley, eight in the central city, five in West L.A. and two in South Los Angeles.

If all goes well, Hahn said, city officials will identify 25 priority transportation projects each year, while lobbying for more federal and state transit dollars to pay for the work.

Hahn said students at Burbank Elementary, where as many as 2,000 vehicles pass by the campus during school hours each day, will get added protection when overhead warning beacons are installed that flash when children or other pedestrians are present.

The school is at St. Clair Avenue and Burbank Boulevard, identified as one of the most dangerous intersections. Although officials said there had not been an accident involving injuries in years, it made the list because of the heavy traffic and presence of children.

The project is a prime example of how smaller, more local issues are as important to city residents as larger issues, the mayor said.

“This is what people are talking about,” he said, pointing to the nearby intersection that will be outfitted with smart technology. “These little things turn into major aggravations if they are not taken care of.”

Before appearing at the school, Hahn spoke on radio station KFWB’s “Ask the Mayor” program, talking about his first month in office and promising to help residents fix up their neighborhoods.

“I’ve been working hard every single day,” Hahn said.

He also answered questions on specific neighborhood issues.

A Highland Park man said a local market that sells liquor is attracting crime and graffiti, and a man who lives near Lake Balboa his street is cluttered with vehicles that his neighbors never move. Hahn told listeners to call his office for assistance, saying he would help solve the problems.

“I’ll take care of it,” he told a West Los Angeles woman who said the city has not repaired large potholes in front of her condominium.

Times staff writer Matea Gold contributed to this storyJW

Intersections to Be Upgraded Upgrades are planned in the following intersections, identified as the city’s most congested:

* Burbank Boulevard at St. Clair Avenue; North Hollywood

* Chandler Boulevard at Agnes Street; North Hollywood

* Lankershim Boulevard at Valerio Street; North Hollywood

* Canoga Avenue and Victory Boulevard (southbound, eastbound, westbound); Canoga Park

* Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Victory Boulevard (eastbound, westbound); North Hollywood and Valley Village

* Zelzah Avenue at Rinaldi Street; Granada Hills

* Saticoy Street South and Whitsett Avenue (northbound); North Hollywood

* Victory Boulevard and Woodman Avenue (eastbound, westbound); Van Nuys

* Arvilla Avenue and San Fernando Road (northbound, southbound); Sun Valley