Intersection in Line for More Turn Arrows

Dear Traffic Talk:

A left-turn signal has been installed to allow north- and southbound Balboa Boulevard traffic to turn onto San Fernando Mission Boulevard.

This intersection, in fact, is heavily used and is located just about half a mile south of the Ronald Reagan Freeway. But left turns have made a mess of an intersection that was not a problem before.

It appears all the time allocated for the controlled left turns on Balboa has been taken away from the time used by east-west traffic on San Fernando Mission.

There may have been times at peak hours during morning and afternoon rush hours when cars on Balboa waited for more than one light change to make a left onto San Fernando Mission--but not many.

Now, because of the length of time used by Balboa traffic, cars are always backed up on San Fernando Mission and drivers there seldom wait less than two light changes to turn left onto Balboa.

I agree there is a need for left-turn controls at that intersection, but it is for eastbound San Fernando Mission traffic turning onto northbound Balboa in the morning, and in the afternoon, for southbound Balboa turning east on San Fernando Mission.

That would take care of drivers who need to turn left to get to the freeway in the morning and others who need the left away from the freeway in the afternoon.

D.L. Burkhart

Granada Hills

Dear D.L.:

Traffic engineers have evaluated the intersection and determined that east-west left-turn arrows on San Fernando Mission are needed.

The recent left-turn signals for Balboa were added to mitigate the impact of additional traffic generated by a nearby project, said Brian Gallagher of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Until the San Fernando Mission lights can be installed, he said, additional green time will be allocated for east-west traffic.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I have two questions concerning the state’s “Adopt-a-Highway� program.

First, is there a procedure for timely removal of signs when particular parties no longer sponsor a site?

Second, I have seen two identical signs on the same side of the Ventura Freeway east of the Glendale Freeway.

They are only about half a mile apart and have been there for years.

Is it possible that they were mistakenly put there instead of on opposite sides of the freeway or at more-widely separated locations?

Ron Zakrzewski

Glendale

Dear Ron:

Ordinarily, it takes about 30 days to post new signs after a sponsorship has ended and new sponsors are assigned.

When a location becomes available, Caltrans’ Adopt-a-Highway coordinator contacts a potential sponsor from a long waiting list of interested parties, said Pat Reid, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Caltrans processes an application after a sponsor accepts the invitation and a sign is posted soon after.

Signs are generally placed about two miles apart, Reid said.

The program’s coordinator will investigate the signs near the Ventura and Glendale freeways to determine what should be done.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to [email protected]