U-Turns Near Airport Exit Would Create Traffic Danger

Dear Street Smart:

Why is there a “No U-Turn� sign at northbound Campus Drive and Airport Way? Because of the sign, motorists are required to enter the airport to make a U-turn.

I cannot see any problems that would be created by allowing U-turns.

Phil Salisbury Newport Beach Rich Edmonston, traffic engineer for Newport Beach, said that if drivers were allowed to make a U-turn on northbound Campus Drive at that spot, they would be turning into lanes used by motorists turning right out of the airport on Airport Way.

And because that airport traffic is particularly heavy, the city does not want to allow a U-turn on Campus.

Dear Street Smart:

This is regarding a traffic signal at the southbound Valley View Street on-ramp to the northbound San Diego Freeway.

There is a lane which directs on-ramp traffic only. It is separated from the other southbound lanes by a solid line.

However, there is a confusing traffic signal at the entrance to the on-ramp. The same light that controls southbound traffic on Valley View is placed to the right of the on-ramp entrance.

Since there is no permissible access to the on-ramp from any other direction, is this light to be treated like a right-on-red situation?

Kevin E. Condon Garden Grove No. Because you have to go past the signal to get to the entrance of the on-ramp, a right turn on red is not legal, said Rose Orem, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Dear Street Smart:

When is the extension of Weir Canyon Road from the Riverside Freeway to the end of Jamboree Road at Santiago Canyon Road in the Orange Hills planned to open?

This would provide an alternate route to the Costa Mesa Freeway, especially for South County.

Brian D. Bowski Mission Viejo The Weir Canyon Road extension is on the Orange County Master Plan, but it will be at least 20 years before anything is done there, said Richard Peterson, manager of transportation planning for the county.

A few years ago, when the economy started spiraling downward, development plans for the eastern portion of the city of Orange were squelched.

When those plans died, plans for the road died with it, Peterson said.

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The Orange County Transportation Authority has made several changes in its fares and bus routes. Route changes will take effect June 12 and the new fares will take effect July 1.

Transfers that now cost a nickel will be free. The transfers will allow passengers to board up to two other buses and can be used for two hours from the time they are issued.

OCTA also is introducing a fare coupon book at a discounted price. Ten ride coupons worth $1 each will cost $9.

Transfers from Amtrak to OCTA buses now will cost 50 cents. Metrolink transfers will remain free.

Information on route changes will be printed in a new guide, which will be available at most major grocery stores and discount stores on July 1.

Transit terminals and buses also will carry the new timetables beginning July 1.

More information can be had by calling OCTA Customer Relations at (714) 636-RIDE or (800) 636-RIDE from outlying areas of Orange County.

Street Smart appears Mondays in The Times Orange County Edition. Readers are invited to submit comments and questions about traffic, commuting and what makes it difficult to get around in Orange County. Include simple sketches if helpful. Letters may be published in upcoming columns. Please write to Caroline Lemke, c/o Street Smart, The Times Orange County, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Include your full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted.