Driving in L.A. an Unending Nightmare

Re “The Road to Hell Is Being Resurfaced,” by Ray Richmond, Commentary, May 31:

The route to and from my job resembles an obstacle course more than a thoroughfare. After changing routes dozens of times, I finally settled on a labyrinth that is less disrupted by gridlock and construction, albeit four miles longer each way.

All the lost time, vehicle damage and frayed nerves might be bearable if there were an end in sight to all this busywork and a discernible difference in the quality of my commute. Sadly, I’ve concluded that driving in Los Angeles is a nightmare from which I’ll never awake.

Barbara Schratwieser

Studio City

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Re “Open Roads Languish on the Drawing Board,” May 29: Freeway planners have been like drug addicts; if they can only get a little more, all will be fine. The two basic problems with an auto-based transit system are that the number of vehicles will always exceed capacity and that drivers often render the system unusable by their violation of law and common sense. The only solution to congestion is rail, but local media cannot report data critical of oil or autos because of the potential loss of advertising revenue.

Jon Hartmann

Los Angeles

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The 101 at the 405 is a mess, the 101 in Tarzana is a mess, the 101 in Sherman Oaks is a mess and the 101 in Calabasas is a mess--and traffic will not flow smoothly for six more years, if ever! Our electrical infrastructure is failing, our water supplies are dwindling and natural gas prices are going through the roof. How can our politicians, even with their myopic vision, ever allow another commercial or residential project to be built?

We are reaching the saturation point in Southern California. The thought of 40,000 additional car trips on the already overburdened 101 when the Ahmanson Ranch is built out is ludicrous.

Build busways, monorails and carpool lanes, not more housing units that will surely exacerbate what is already a crisis situation.

Ray Kirschbaum

Westlake Village

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Re “The Bike Is Back,” editorial, May 31: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority bicycle proposals are not nearly as ambitious as the elevated bikeway of a century ago. Ain’t that a shame.

While it’s always good to see a photo of the cycleway in The Times, it makes you wonder if we can ever measure up to the visionary, forward thinking of 100 years ago. This isn’t rocket science after all, just an uninterrupted ride from one city center to another, based on technology proven by more than 100 years of flawless operation and at no operating cost. That’s sustainable transportation.

Dennis Crowley

Pasadena