Bolster safety, ease congestion

Re “One-way streets may get Westside on the fast track,” March 29

As reflected by The Times’ coverage of the proposal to convert Olympic and Pico to one-way streets, Angelenos and the local media are preoccupied with thoughts of shortened commutes. A more pressing concern is the unsafe driving conditions found on local roads. The lack of properly functioning left-turn signals, uneven road surfaces, potholes, improper lane markings and poorly timed lights has become a public-safety menace.

Before conjuring grandiose plans to alleviate traffic congestion, local government first should prove to its citizenry that it can provide basic road safety.

SPENCER RIRIE

Los Angeles

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This story indicated that I support making Olympic and Pico one-way streets. To be clear, I believe that Westside traffic must be addressed and I’m open to discussing any and all proposals that could alleviate congestion. However, before any decisions are made, all proposals must be thoroughly evaluated and presented for community input. The city Department of Transportation must conduct its own study of this proposal, and I will ensure that local residents have an opportunity to review and discuss it in an open and transparent public process.

COUNCILMAN JACK WEISS

District 5

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Thank you for running the story about the plan to turn Pico and Olympic into one-way streets. I can only hope that enough constituents see it and contact their council representatives so that this ridiculous plan is relegated to the trash heap where it belongs.

This plan amounts to turning Olympic into “Little 10 West” and Pico into “Little 10 East.” Please don’t place freeways in the middle of my neighborhood. The only solution to traffic congestion on the Westside is a subway. It doesn’t matter if it takes longer or costs more. It only matters that it will work.

CAROL TENNEY

Los Angeles

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. Could one-way streets be part of a budding strategy that includes high-density land-use mixes, bus rapid transit and managed parking? As L.A. struggles to achieve an acceptable level of mobility, everything should be on the table. Unfortunately, building rail transit and highway capacity is costly and long term. Although new infrastructure is obviously part of the solution, people are looking for relief now, not in 10 years. There are many small traffic fixes that can grow into real congestion relief, and one-way streets should be viewed in this larger context. The city’s challenge will be to show some imagination in taking risks in congestion management. We need to recognize that real improvement will entail some sacrifice on everyone’s part. If everyone gives a little, we can all gain a lot.

RICHARD G. LITTLE

Director

The Keston Institute

for Public Finance and

Infrastructure Policy

USC, Los Angeles