HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-28-88 TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMISSION 'b .. 1 . ' . • . • ..
AGENDA ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT
, THE REGULAR MEETING OE THE
LYNWOOD TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION
TO BE HELD ON APRZL 28, 1988 AT 5:00 P.M.
. OPENING CEREMONIES � n //� 6�
Q� T �,
._ 1. CALL FOR ORDER - CHAIRMAN ARCHAMBAliLT R(; E"j �� I
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ClTY OF LYNW00�
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING APR 251988 °
� PMI
4. ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS 7�8�9iID�lli12i1�2i3i4i5i6
, ROBERT ARCHAMBAULT ' �
WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM �j����
�'l�L" �..� �
JOE DARYL BATTLE / .'yC
l,l' V
RONALD WRIGHT
VZCTORIA SIMPSON
5. APPROVAL OF yINU'PES
PliBLIC ORAL COMPIUNICATIONS
. SCAEDULED MATTERS
6. REMOVAL OF YELLOW CURB MARKINGS f
10364 STATE STREET
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
COMMISSION ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
1'03.250
� �
THE REGULAR MEETIh'G OF THE TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMZSSION OF THE
CITl OF Ll'NWOOD _
March 24, 1988
A regular meetin� of the Traffic and Parking Commission of the
City of Lynwood caas held on the above date in the Cit,y Council
Chambers of Lynwood Ci.ty Hall, 11330 Bullis Road, Lynwood,
California at 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Archambault.
Commissioners Wright, Cunningham, Simpson and Chairman
Archambault answered rull call. Present caere Jahanshah Oskoui,
Civil Engineering Assistant and Oretha Williams, Engineering
Division. Deputy Rosenbauer arrived at 6:07 p.m.
ACKNOWLEDGF.MENT OF POSTING
Jahanshaf: Oskoui announced that the Agenda of Nlarch 2�, 1988,
was duly posted 72 hours, prior to the scheduled meeting.
APPROVAL OF �7INUTES
Commissioner Firight motioned to accept the minutes of February
2�, 1988, and Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion. The
motion iaas passed unanimously.
PUELIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Tt�ere were none.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
6. RE(�iJEST FOR GREEN CURB - LYNWOOD ROAD ,
Jahanshah Oskoui informed the Commission that Public Works/
Engineering Department have received a request from Cargill.
Faciliti.es requesting Lo have approximately 350 feet of curb on
the south side of Lynwood Road to be painted green (20 minutes I
parking onlyf to facilitate trucks stopping while waiting to
enter the parlcing lot of their facil.it�-. He explained that 4'LO
feet of curb to Y.he norT.h of Cargill's facilities, based on an
earlier request. from QualiY.y Metal Finishing Company, was painted
green and now Cargill is having problems with Metal Finishin�
Company'semployees parlcing during working hours on the unpainted
curb. Staff is asking for the Commission to support their
recommendation to grant Cargill their request. Discussion followed.
1
� �
Commissioner Wright motioned to support staff's recommendation to
have curb pai.nted green and Commissioner Battle seconded the
motion. It was passed unanimously.
7. ATLANTIC AVIiNUE AND ARLINGTON AVENUE TRAFFIC SIGNAL
RELOCATION
Jahanshah Oskoui announced that George Brusher, P.E., Consultant
Traffic Engineer, conducted a traffic study on the subject
location. It has been recommended that the e�isting traffic signal
at Atlantic Avenue and Arl.ington Avenue be removed and a new
traffic signal at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and McMillan
Avenue be installed. The Commission viewed the attached report
prepared by Mr, Brusher. The report disclosed that the existing
signal at the subject location is not warranted and it would be
more feasible it a neca signal could be installed on Atlantic Avenue
and McMillan Ao The projected cost to have this done is
$40,000 to $45,000. Staff request the Commission's support to have
signal relocated. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Cunningham motioned to accept staff's recommendation,
Commiss.ioner Battle seconded and Commissioner Wright objected.
� INFORhiATIONAL ITEMS
Jahanshah Oskoui discussed the status of each of the following
Informational Items:
1. Atlantic Avenue Reconstruction Project
The project has been completed. Some minor repairs will
be done and then the item will be presented at the April 4,
1988, Council meeting for Council's acceptance.
2. City Entrance Markers
Construction for the subject project at Atlantic Avenue on
Imperial Highway and on Atlantic Avenue and McMillan Ac�enue
began on Februar�� 22, 1988, and 85% of the work is now �
r.omplete. The next phase of construction will be installing
the landscaping and irrigation system. Staff is nota working on
having the landsc�p.i.ng installed.
3. Sidewalk Reconstruction Project FY 1987-88:
The Sidewalk Reconstruction Project began on Ma,y ]0, 1988 and
is now 40% complete. Eight,y (80) locations wi.th damaged sidewal.lcs,
curbs and gutters and pavements will be reconstructed. The
project cost is $87,980.80 and is bei.ng funded with H.C.D.A
and SB-821 funds.
2
� �
�. Monitoring and Cleaning of Sewer Mains:
PSG Sewer Service caere contracted to inspect approximatelY
2,325 feet of sewer mains. The company's s,vstem of operation
is to survey sewer mains using a video camera to locate lifted
laterals joints, tree roots in line, craciced secaer lines, etc.
The streets with the most reported problems have been on Drury
Lane and Alma Avenue. Portions of those streets have been
cheched and cleaned. The cost for this work was $1,627.50.
5. Complaints For February� 1988
The number of complaints receiced for the month of February
1988, were 117 (31Y reduction to the complaints received for
the month of January). The complaints received for trash pick
up problems and street lighting complaints problems were reduced
by 45q and 50� respectively.
COMMISSIOh ORALS I
Commissioner Archambault stated that he noted the Street Sweeper
sweeping on his street in the afternoon instead of the sche�?uled
time whicF� is in the morning.
Commissioner Wright explained that he had submitted a list of
27 street lights that he found t;iat are out. However, at least sit
(6) lights from the 1,;_st he reported are still out. He woul.d lil;e
a status of the street light li.st.
JaF,anshah responded that the City will survei� the entire Cit�� to
f�nd and have repaired all the street lights that are out.
Commissioner Archambault questioned the status of his request to
ha��e street li.ghts retimed.
Commissioner Cunningham noted an increase of ja,y crossing
the street where the new median have been installed on 9tlantic
�.venue and Century Boulevard.
Deputy Rosenbauer replied that pedestrians may cross the street at
that location at the median, it is considered a non-controlled area
and is legal, where a signal light is n,t installed for another
several blocks in the vicinitv.
Deputy- Rosenbauer apo.Lo�ized for Sergeant Johnson not bein� able
to attend tonight's meeting. He informed the Commissioners that
he had to caork as the Watch Commander at the Sheriff's starion.
Deput} Rosenbauer urged the Commission to note that the article
entitled "Pasadena OFis Photo-Radar Speed Detector," the
information of this artic].e is not necessarilp accurate.
3
� �
Deputy Rosenbauer announced that, after 17 years of service with
the Lynwood Sheriff's Department, tonight may be his last Traffic
& Parking Commission meeting, he is waiting on news to know
whether or not if he has been accepted for another position with
Los Angeles County, Central Jail.
ADJOL!RN"IENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Wright to adjourn the
meeting to April 28, 1988, at 6:00 p.m., of the Traffic and
Parking Commission in the.City Council Chambers. It was seconded
by Commissioner Simpson. The meeting adjourned at (6:45 p.m.).
T03.240
4
. � � �
DATE: yARCH 'l4. 1988
T0: TFIE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF LPNWOOD
TR.4FFIC AND PARhING COMMISSION �
FROhI: JOSEPH Y". WANG, P.E., DIRECTOR OF PtiBLIC WORItSI
CITY ENGINEER �
SUBJECT: REMOVAL OF Y�LLOW CURB MARKI\GS
10364 STATE STREE'P
PL'RFUSE :
To recommend that the Tra£fic and Parlcing Commissi.on support
staff's recommendation to remove the existing yellow curb
markings in front of 10364 State Street.
BACKGROliND:
The Department of Pub.tic Works has received a request from Govans
Enterprises, Inc., to remove a one hour curb parl;ing restriction
at. 10364 State Street. (see attachedl.
AtdALYSIS
Field inspection at the subject location showed that the only 1
hour par•king restriction is approximately 32 feet of green curb
marking in fx�ont uf 10366 State Street (Hansan Foods Company)
which is south of Govan E�rt erprises. However, there is a 22 feet
yelloca curb d.i.rectl� in front of 10364 State Street. Upon
contacting yr. Ercil Brown of Govan Enterprises, he espressed his
wilLingness for the remo��a1 of the yellow curb since t;hey do not
have an,y use for it.
Pe�� State of' California Vehicle Code, section 'L1458 Ib) (see
attached) the ,vellow curb indicates stopping only for the purpose
of loading or unloading passen�ers or freight, since Govan
Enterpri.ses has expressed that they do not have a need f'ur
].oadi.ng and unloading in front of their propert�-, the removal of
the yel.low curb ].ocated in front of 10364 Stzte Street, is
warranted.
RECOMME�'DATIOti
It i.s r.•ecommended t;hat the Traffic and Parlcing Commission support
staff's recommendation to remove the esi.sting yellor: curb
marizin.gs in front of 10364 State Street.
T03.'L70
� �
GOVAN ENTERPRISES �NCi. Industrial & Residential Maintenance
!, 10364 STATE STREET, LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90262 (213) 566-7017
March 31, 1988 ��'�'�"`�����°��
� _ , <c�
Joseph Wang ( -.'':]
Director of Engineering Department
11330 Bullis Road
Lynwood, Ca 90262
Re: Street Parking Request
Sir:
Govan Enterprises, Inc. is located at 10364 State Street, in the
� City o£ Lynwood, and has lU employees who need to park their cars
on the street all day.
On March 31, 1988 we were startled to find that there is a 1 hour
limit on street parking being enforced which places a undo
hardship on our employees and our business. There is no source of
safe off-street parking for our employees".
As a tax paying business in Lynwood for over ten years, we are
requesting that all-day street parking be approved (except for
Tuesday street sweeping). �
We are working very hard to keep a clean environment and we would
appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
�� �� -�
� �
� -��. ��ti
,__ _ ..... _ ,
,-
' Jerome Govan,
�"� President
JG:LT
l
�
,
' Div: 11 —411— § 21460 I �
(a) Flach�red (stop signal): When a ied lens is illuminaFed with rapid '
intermittent flashes,.a driver shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if
none; before entering the crosswaik on the neaz side of the intersectlon, or
if none, then at [he point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver
has a view oE approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before
.- , entering it, and the driver may proceed subject to the rules applicable after �
� making a stop at a stop.sign. � . i�' �
� (b) Flashing yellow (caution signal): When a yellow lens is illuminated �r �-
with rapid intermittent Elashes a driver may proceed through.�the
� intersection or past the signal only�with caution: � . �
. � Amended Ch. 975, S[a[s. 1959. Inopentivc amendment 1996, Stats: IA59, wu repealed
• by Ch. 58, Stats. 1961. The secHon �s printed remains in force. ' • ��
. Amended Ch. 45, Stats. 1972. Effective March 7, I978, ' �
� Amended Ch: 119, $tats. 19BL Effective January I, I982.- � ' ' � . � . � �
. - Curb Markings � . � � � � � � - � � - � '
� 21458. Whenever local authoritles enact local parking �regulations and ..
indicate them by the use of paint upon curbs, the following colors only shall � '�
be used, and the colors indicate as�follows: . -
� � (a) - Red indicafes no�stopping, sfanding, or parking, whether the vehicle � I �i l
� is attended or unattended, except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked
� or signposted as a Uus loading zone. . - �
(b) Yellow indi�ates stopping only for the purpose of loading orunloading
passengers or Ereight for the �time as may �be specified by local ordinance.
(c) White indicates sEopping�for either oF the fol]owing purposes; .�
(1) Loading or unloading of passengers time as may bespecified
� by local ordinance. � � � � � ,
'2) Depositing �mail.in an adjacent mailbox. � � � �
(d) Green indicates Nme limit paiking specified by loeal ordinance.
. (e) Blue indicates pazking limited exclusively to the vehicles of physically �
� handicapped persons as described in Sections 22511.5 and 22511.9.
. � Regulations indica[ed as above provided shall be effective upon.the days
and duridg the hours or Hmes as may� be prescribed tocal ordinances.
Amended C6. 688, Stats. 1975. ERecHve January l, 1976. . ,. � � �
Amended Ch. I041, S[a[s. 1985. EQecNve January l, I986.
Dislincfive Roadway�Markings.• � . �.7 -.. � .. . . .
. - 21459. (a) The �Depaztrnent� oP Transportafion � iri� respect ��to• state .-
highways and � a� local authority with �respect to highways under its -
. jurisdic[ion, is authorized ta�Qlace and maintain upon highways disHncHve
� roadway markings az described and with�the effect set forth inSection 21460. �
� (b) The distinctive roadway�marldngs shall be employed to.designate any i
� - portion of a highway where tfie volume of traffic or the verNcal or other
. curvature oP the roadway renders it hazardous todrive on the left side of the
marking or to indicate no driving to the left as provided in SecHon 21460; and
� ' shall not be employed Eor any other purpose. . .�� � -'
� (c) Any pavemenf marking other than as described in this secHon placed � �
, by the Department of�Transportation or.any�iocal�authority shall noE be
, effective indicate no driving.over or to:'the�left_of the marking.
Amended Ch.�545, Stats.4974. Effecfive Janmry�l, �I975. . ' ' ' , ' _
� Double Lines - � . . . . . . � �. . . . .
" 21460. (a)� When double parallel solid lines are in place,��no person
. driving a vehicle shall drive to�the left�theceof, except ag permitted in this
� section. � � . � �
� , (b) When the double,parallel lines, one of which is are in place,
� � � - no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left tHereoF, excepE as Eollows:
- (1) That the driver on side bf the roadway�in which� the broken line.
., is in place may cross oyer [he dou6le line or drive to the left thereof when -
� overtaking or passing other.vehicles. � �
, . (2? As provided in Section 22460:5. � .
State of California
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INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. City Entrance Markers:
The construction phase for the subject project is 85Y
complete. The next phase is to install the entry signs to
be followed by completing the installation of irrigation
spstem and landscaping.
2. Sidewalk Reconstruction Project FY 1987-88:
The Si.dewalk Reconstruction Project is noc.* 90% complete.
The completion date for this project has been set for
NIaY 10, 1988.
3. Tree Trimming Project:
Ttie specifications for the Tree Trimming Pro,ject was
prepared and sent out to potential bidders. This is the
first time cchere this project has been set up as a four (4
,year contract. Hence, the contractor who will be awarded
wi.th the contract will complete the required work in
predesignated areas throughout the Cit,y in a four year
c}ro1e. The b:id opening date for this project is set for
May f, 1988.
4. Slurry Seal Project FY 1987-88:
The bid openi.ng for this project is set for Ma,y 27, 1985.
Appro�i.mately 700,000 square feet of Citjr streets will be
slurry sealed. The budget or this project is 550,000 and is
funded with HCDA funds.
5. Pavement Repairs - Various Locations:
Approximately- 5,000 square feet of asphalt concrete pavement
will be repaired in various locations throu.ghout the Cit,v.
The bid opening for this project is set for May 5, 1988.
The,budget for this project is �30,000 and is funded caith
HCDA funds.
6. Complaints for March 1988:
During the month of March 1988, the Department of Public
Works received a total of 110 complaints. This shows a 6%
decrease in the number of complaints received during the
month of February 1988. A breakdown of the complaints has
been attached.
T03.260
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� . C O M M E N D A 7 I O�N �
�' ��y1- � NHEREAS, F.ric Dennis Fshelman was born in ��
�- � Long Beach, California. He graduated�from M.'oodroF: � �
. _ Wilson Hiyh School; and �
Nf1EREA5, F.rit RTaduated from long Beath City College in �
1973, after obtaining his AA deRTee; and� -
' - WHEAEAS, Eric served the Nationa] 6uard fron Fehruar��,
�� - 1970 to Febivary, 1976. He graduated from the Sheriff's Acadeny �
. ' � in February, 1972; and �
� WHEAEAS., Eric joined the Los Angeles County Custode .
,. Di�'ision, ihe Los Anreles Countr Civi] Pivision and'later joined
� the Carson PatroT Ilirision; and
WHEREAS, Eric ioined the Los�Angeles Custod�� Division ''� �
� in 1981', and from Su])', 1975 to April, 1985 seri•ed the Lo<•An¢eles
- County Custody HeadquarLers. He ioined the Los An¢eles County
Shetif.f.•s Oepartmeni, L?'n�ood Station as SerGeant. �
F_ .
' WHEREAS, Eric M1ewme n memher of several or¢anizations, �
. , in�luding the Peace Officer's Association, Cit)' of Lvn�.•ood's Traffic
. and Parking Commission and Traffic Conmittee of the Deace Officers:
and'
NHEREAS, Sergeant Fric F.shelman is leaviny, the Lyne•ood
Station after a recent transfer to the Centra7 Jail, Custodv piv- �
ision, CiTy of�Los Angeles on Apri] 1D, 1988. �
� NOW, THEREFORE, SE IT RESOLVEP that the Traffic and
Pax'king Commission of She�City of Lvnvood hereby comnends SERGEANT �
�. BRIC UENNIS £SHELMAN £or his deditated service to the City of � .
� � l.�nxood, Traffic and�ParkinR� Lommission and�extends to him its
sancere appreciation and rishes for his continued suceess in the
r;.•` . future. .
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� BiFb FRf .CR(HA�I AU.T, iairnan
Trsffic and Parkin; f.ommission '
JOE DARYLE BAT7LF.
� Commissioner
WILLIAM CUNNIRGHA`1
' Comnissioncr.
� � VICTOAIA SIMPSON ,
. Commissioner �
� R06.ALD SRI-0H7
Comni�sioner
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o b � o '
� �. o����� Y'HFREAS, Raymond A. I?oaenhaucr nas born
�� in Chicaeo, Il7inois. He graduated from Po„
.� � High School in 19fi1 and graduaicd fron Ccrritos
. � Collep,e in 1964; and
�� . WHERF.AS, lEaymond scrved thc U. S. Arm�� from I�t�S
� to 196d a�id N�as discharn,ed in Ociobcr, 7o�g; a ���j
� V.'HFREAS, 2aymond attended the Rio I;ondo ;\cadeniy and
� graduatcd in 1972; and .
� , .��„ WHEREAS, Ravmond is thc nroud fathcr of f�ur children:
. � tiv'ec daughtcrs and one son; and
.� , WHFRFAS, Raymond ;oined the I.vnmood volice Depariment
. . in Julv, ]n71 and in *tav, 1P77 ioined thc Los An�cics Countc
' Sherif�f's Ilepnrtment and xac stationed in Lym:ood: and -�
I41IF;RIiAS, Napmond �is a membcr of mnny I,��m:ood orpani=a- �
tion.:
� City uf I.ymaoud's S:ifc[y Commi..ion
Citv of I.ymcooJ's 'fraf'ric F Varkinp I;ommis..ion
' Rvprescniativc to I,vm;ood Chambcr or (.oqimcrcc I'or ('I�v
�. , Car Shuvs and 5/l0-K Buns � '
` ' I:cprescni�tivc to Saini Prancis Hospiial'c A'un-Ituns
. WHERGAS, Sern��a�ii Itavmond Itosenbaucr is lcacin� thc
, ' I.ymcood tit�tion aftcr a recent promotion tran.�fcrrinq to tho
, Ccntral .1�ll , Cu>tody Division,' Ciiy of I.os Angcles on drn'i] ]n
79flR. •
" N014, THENEFORF., BF. IT RF.SOI,VF.➢ that El�c 'I7af�i�
. I':!�'kinq Cmnmi...ion of thc Citc of I.vmaaoJ hcrchv ��mmcndc SERG£.AR7'
� . RAYMOND D. ROSENBAL!ER �or hia dedicated serrice to the� Citv of
� _ I.rnrcoaJ, '11'affic and Parkinr Commission and cstcnJs to him itx
sinrcrc npproci:iiion and wishcs for hIs coniinucd succcss in thc
Cuture. �
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a�. fi-�-c, ��-'>i'K.c�wUZL�
- � R£Rf 1R.tIADI AU.R, �airm� a � —
"frafPi.c and P,irkin, f.ommission
' JOE DARYLE BATTLF
� Commissioner
, - h'ILL7AM CUNNIRGHA'�i
� Comnissioncr .
� VICTOHIA SIMPSON � .
� Commissioner
' � RORALD SRIf,HT .
. Commissioner
� �
`Floating' Train
Labeled as Cure
for Traffic Blues �
By JEFFREY A. PEHLMAN,
Times Urban Affairs Writer �
.- By the year 2000, Orange County commuL � .- �
� . . ers could be whisked from a major office and � ' ' .
� � � retail complex [o a convention hall, then to a
. � sports stadium on a pollution-free rail "peo- -
- ple-mover" system �that "floats"�cazs along a , .
��� � magnetic field on elevated tracka � � '�
� , . That is the futuristic vision� unveiled by
� � Hoard of Supervisors Chairman Harriett M. � �
� - � Wieder on Monday in .Santa Ana: Wieder
� . ' invited officials from I,os Angeles and Orange� � ,
counties to watch a 60-minute slide show and'�
� � � video and hear about a$60-million, 1.3-mile -
pilot system now under construction in� .
, � ' downtown Las Vegas: � � � ,
`This is right out of Buck Rogers," said
�� ' - Wieder, who is running �for the Republican � �
- , nortunation in the 42nd'� Congressional Dis- .
� � � [rict. "But we have to find alternatives to the
� � automobile so that we can take care of traffic
� . and our air quality, and�this may be if." , �� ' " ,
- � Inexpensive Operation. , - . , ' .
. � Vehicles in the Las Vegas people mover are�- �'
_ � projected� to cany as many as 116 people at �
� _ speeds of 40�or miles an hour between
�� sta[ions, using. very�-lit[le power�—about 20 ' -
cents worth of electricity to move each caz a
mile.
i The first link of the Las Vegas project, due
. . �. for completion in 1991, will connect�a�sports� � _
and convention complex to a librazy, trans- .
� portation center�and� retail project. A ticket
� � for a one-way trip between�any two points in� �
� the system is e�ec[ed to cost atiout $1.50 �,
, � ' compared to $2.90 for ta�d fare. When finished�� ' -
tiy 1995 the entire $320-million; 10-mile
.' system will� also link the Las Vegas airpoR�.
- � with major hotels: � - . ` � �
. � Wieder said she will�� ask Caltrans, the �
. _ Orange Coun[y Transportatlon Commission ,
s � � and the Orange County 'lYansit District to �
. � . study [he feasibility of tiuilding similaz "peo- .
� ple movers" on the planned San Joaqtin Hills �
. toilway and other new highways. -
' Pleese see PEOPLE MOVER�, Pege 6
.. LOS ANGELES TIi`1ES
TUESDAY, APRIL I9, I98H
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LAS VEGAS MAGNETIC PEOPLE MOVER � � � �� ' �� � :
� ��.a�:r'�.+� Y�a�a'��A� r y � + ��� ���� � '$,s' ��� � �� ���:. � �
z � The futunstic Las�Uegas people mover, ����i� � �`� ���� . � � �» u. >.
� `�system ° ovas descr�bed to officials from�, �.�;�`� �� � o
� Y
�;Orang�aniioLos/q,ngelescounties The �;��;�k �'' �
"��;system�;scfiedule8 to"�become�operaUOnal f �� �' � � � °
�in 1991 �floats�,tramson�asmagneLC ���� '° �
fieid over elevated,tracks Permane�t� _ "� �, � � �
���magnets in ihe�undercar�riage�support�the � �"� ; �,
�.;�.ca�s,�atiout ��inch atiove the�track �A� ;,����� t������r � ` �
�,,�travel�ng�electromagneticfield �cleveloped� �; � ^���- ���� m
r��in the coils'(�wlt into the track�propefs 3� �' � ��� � m >
,tiains along�tFie guuJeway �T,he�e are°no `° `��*'�� n � � � " �
�, ti. ,. , � � �s � � �n ;
�, �motors�axles�wheels,or heavy�electrical�E�� �
, o`r mechanical�equ�pment &Cars are�lighter�� `,� �;�;�
ti�� conventionalxsysteins and procluce ;,'n w,,� oo� �o�o
�@SS �1O1S8 =VIbf8Y�O11�af1C� j30��UY Ofl��� `�� r .'�*�T <t,� _ � i
� �T�.�OperaUOn �s automaUC no dnvers � <}
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e,x, � �.m15
' . . � . . LEAVETTBILES/LosAneeles9'imes I
i
� i,euerxuy, �ne so-cauea peo- I
ple-mover plan was received fa- � � . '
' � • vorably, with some transportation
expetts enthusiastic over the con-
� � : cept.!Others, however, were skep- ��, - � . .
�� .. [ical� that Orange County commut- �. ,
� -- � ers could be dislodged from their � �
- . � cars.: � � .
' , � � .. . "We will still see the automobile � � �
, � � - , � �be the primazy vehicle of choice in � �
. �� � Southern California for decades to � �
come," Stanley T. Oftelie, execu-
tive director of the Orange County district:
, , Transportation Commission, told But McKean and others ex-
- � � the briefing group, which met in pressed doubt that running transit
.. � SantaAna. ,• lines along ea9sting or planned
"" � � � "[Buy� I think we can move freeway rou[es was the best use for
_ _ , ahead and provide attractive alter- . such novel systems: �
_ � �. � natives if we can package them � °The freeways carry motor ve-� � �
.- � ' . � , attractively and intriguingly as Las hicles ... they are not really �
. Vegas has attempted to package traffic generators [origination � ,
� them;' Oftelie said, referring to , points and destination points] per �
� . artistis' renderings showing future se;' McKean said. "I think you i�
, � Las Vegas residents clad in spage- really need to look at how you
�. �. age gazb, standing on futurisUC connect the [origination points and �. �
� �� transport platforms reminiscent of destinaUonsj the best way you can. �'�
_. � . , the spaceport at Disneyland. � And that can� be most any place, not '
� : -. � . 'Right on Target' " � necessazily the freeways." � � �
- Oftelie agreed, saying that such �
. . "These are new technologies people-mover systems must. be
�. . . that we have.to look at to solve our -built to serve specific points� of
� .� problems," said Don R. Griffin, origin and destination, rather than �
. president of the Southern Califor- . attempt to substitute � for freeway
` nia Assn. of Governments (SCAG), travel generally.
� , . the regional planning agency. Grif- � That is tiecause, he said, com-
- fin, a Buena Pazk councilman, told muters are scattered all over and
. - Wieder: "Your idea that the auto- don'C live in pockets dense enough
� . mobile isn't going to do the job is to justify construcUOn of enough
. . right on target. The more we bring� �transit stations to ensure that there �
, , people in Southern California to- would one close enough to most �
� . gether to look at these opportuni- people'shomes.
. � . . Cies and techniques, the better." In 1989, Orange County voters .
'�� � . � Anaheim� City Councilman Ird overwhelmingly rejected a pro- - �
� � ' Pickler said he and his City Council� �posed 1-cent�sales ta�c that would �-�
�� . . .. �colleagues have been interested in have�raised money for roads and a.
, � . the people-mover concept for some light-rail system linking F`ullerton
. time and will e�ramine the elevated � wi[h 7ohn Wayne Airport via stops � �..
. - magnetic system for possible use in in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Costa .
�� the azea around the Anaheim Con- Mesa. �
� vention Center, Disneyland and . Jim Gosnell, a transportation '
� Anaheim S[adium. planner at SCAG, said tlie private : �
Pickler added that he was sur- funding �aspect of the L,as Vegas �
' - prised to heaz during Monday's pioject and the new technology �.
briefing that it took Ias Vegas only involve "new opportunities that we
- ,� four years to go from the planning shoulde�cplore." ' �
�� .stage to construction. L.A. Pro osal Rilled �
'. � The people-mover concept is a P � �
, � �� simple one. Magnets mounted un- Gosnell recalled that a major �� _
derneath the cars are repelled by. a people-mover project designed for�
.. ` , traveling magnetic field in the rails downtown Los Angeles was killed � �
embedded in a steel or concrete because of the lack of federal funds � �
� . . . , guideway. The traveling magneUc in the early 1980s.
� � field also �pulls the vehicles �along - "The idea of a lazge public-pri- �
. . the guideway. Small rollers gtide vate��rail system agreemen[ makes
� � ' � � the cazs. No wheels todch the rails, �sense;' Oftelie said after the meet- �'
. - � � � virtually eliminating the resistance . ing,. �
�� - � of friction. � "But it seems to me that the Las �� '
�. - �� . � Also, the Las Vegas trains are to � Vegas system gives a lot of deveL
be totally automated and controlled .. opment rights to the system opera- �
- � �� � � by computers, with no crews on tor. ... I'm not sure tha[ there are
� � board. The front and back ends of many places in Orange County [hat � ��
, � �,. , . each car fold down like gull wings can stand Las Vegas' densities. The �
. in emergencies, allowing passen- one area that would seem possible
. . . gers to walk down into the solid- is the area around Disneyland and �
� flooced crevice between the two � the conven[ion cen[er in Anaheim, .
. .. rails. but we heard the man from Las
� ". "I think one of the unique things Vegas say that Las Vegas residents � �
�- . about this is the quietness of the � opposed a system geared to serving ,
. � system; ' said Keith MeKean, direc- tourists. You'd have [he same prob- . .
� tor of Caltrans' Orange County lem facing you in Anaheim." . j
. � � �
into a hole;' Graham said. "We had
� an eazlier plan that went down in:
`Your [Harriett Wieder sJ idea that the f�ames be�a�se it wou�a have
automobile isn't going to do the job is right on Ser°Qa o�, c��s� and the com-'
munit"y could not see what it was�
target. The more we bring people in Southern go��g � gec o�t of it " ':
Graham was referring to an.
California together to look at these opportunities eazlier, ill-fated plan for a rail!
� system linking the I.as Vegas air-;
� and techniques, tlle Y�L*CC. port and the major hotel-casinos.
� Do� R: Griffin, president of SCAG and Buena Park councilman � Giaham Said finanCing the sys-
� tem without taxpayers' money was
key to the entire project in Las
Gosnellsaida�people-moversys- Vegas. He said� the city never�
tem would piobably work best in developed its own ridership projec=�
Anaheim or possibly Santa Ana, tions, because city officials wanted
downtown Los Angetes, Pasadena the builder-operator of the rail
and Long Beach, with service along system to worry about it instead. :
the coast into Orange County beach As a result, the city has a 55-yeaz ',
' � areas. . contract with Las Vegas. People i
"The system has to serve azeas Mover Associates, a consortium led '
of high activity;' within a city; or by Magnetic 1'ransit, in which the
link several cities together, Gosnell� consortium is obligated to operate I
said. the system and maintain it, with
The briefing, in the Boazd of the city responsible only for pro- �
Supervisors' conference room in vidiag the right of way. '•
the Hall of Administration; was �So faz, Graham said, the project !
conducted by Tom Graham, Las has cost taxpayers about 5300.000. ;
Vegas director of design and devel- some of which came from federal �
opment, and Bernazd Schatz of' granis:
Magnetic Transit of America, Magnetic Transit has posted I
which is 80% owned by AEG, a surety bonds to cover the cost of
German electronics and engineer- removing the elevated guideways
ing firm. AEG has designed and in the event it should walk away
built a prototype test system in from the project for financial rea-
Braunschweig, West Germany, and sons.
is building the first commercial - Separately, Magnetic Transit
systemin WestBerlin. and Ias Vegas officials have been
Graham said he is excited about promoting a proposed high-speed,
the Las Vegas people-mover proj- msgnetically levitated train be-
ect becau§e it promises to attract tween Las Vegas and Southern
� new business and tourism while California, with a station possibly :
serving city residents ai the same ��located in Anaheim. A two-state'
time. commission is being formed to
"We've �come a long way since evaluate the high-sQeed train pro- j
1973 when we�burrowed ourselves pusai. � I
� ' `I� wonder what could � j
� be so complicated about � !
four signal lights. . . .'
—Marty Nicholson, Caltrans construction engineer
Signal Removal on
I U.S.101 Gets Green
Light After 34 Years
. � . � � . ByMILESCORWIN,.TimesStaf(Writer � . � ; �
� � � - SANTA BARBARA—The proj- worked hard� preserving Santa
' . � � � ect appeared simple enough. There Barbara's Spanish archi[ectural '� �' �
. . � were four traffic lights on U.S. 101 heritage, -limiting� growth, maio- � �
_ - � � in Santa Barbara. The sta[e wanted taining the Mediterranean calm of �
•, �� _ - Chem removed. The city wanted the city. They are accustomed to
• �� �- Chem removed. So the state con- stalling proposals until their speci- .
� � ducted� a preliminary study. The fications are met. But the freeway
� ���_year was 1959. � project will not be completed until � . . �
� . � �. But Yhe city rejected [he state's . 1991—almost 40 years after it was �
' . design for an elevated freeway first discussed. And even for Santa
�- [hrough Santa Barbara. Then the Barbara, four decades is a long time �
s[ate rejected the city's design for a to marshal a project to completion.
� . , - depressed freeway. And for the ' � � � �
�� next three decades more than a `H'�IlingtoWaiP, � � .
hundred � designs were proposed The city, however, will finally �
and rejected, more than $3 million get the freeway it wants: And it's
� .�.. � was spent by Caltrans on studies, not just another anonymous swath � �� "
� � . � dozens of environmental impac[ of wncrete cutting through town�. �
. ,reports were writteh and 18 sepa- The city contributed $250,000 for.
� . .�rate city councils debated the issue. arches, ironwork and other flour- '
' . Through it all the traffic lights ishes so�one of the�freeway under- '
.,remained a frequent source of crossings will look like a Spanish � . ��
. . Angst for weekend travelers, a Renaissance bridge and be a gate- �
� . daily irritant for residents and a way to the city. � �
, . symbol of bureaucratic delay. "If this was Ventura, or, for that � '
, ��" Project Will Begin � matter, most any place else, this � �.
, freeway would have been built
But af[er '34 years, the long-� long ago;' said Joe Callahan, who
, � awaited project to remove the four studied numerous freeway propos-
- �.traffic lights will begin this week. als when he served on the City - � '
. , .. "You wonder what could be so Council in the 1950s. "Bu[ this is ,��,
, ' � - � � . ��complicated about - four signal � Santa Barbara, and� Santa Barbara i -
. :lights. .._� You figure most rea- wants Chings done a certain way. �
, � � sonable men could sit down and And if they're not, people are
' � �� 'solve the problem in a. few hours;° willing [o wait until they are." �
� � � � . said Marty Nicholson, a construc- Although for decades nei[hee the ��
�� � . . �tion engineer for the California city nor the state could agree on a .
' �Depaetmen[ofTransportation. � plan, both shared an overciding - ��
' •� � , In Santa Barbara, however, goal—the elimination of the traffic
, .. . � planning problems are not solved in lights: Tlie state wanted the ligh[s � . � �-
. � - a matter of hours,� weeks or removed�because they represented . '
� � mon[hs. the only interruption along the 435 . . �
� �� ' .. - " � � City officiala .traditionally have Please see FREEWAY, Page 19 � �
LOS A(VGELES TIMES
. TUESDAY, APRIL I9 19°�
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,ContinuedfromPaBe3 _ ��w� `���... ,z_ � "' '�,
iniles of U.S. 101 'between Los
� ;tingeles and San� FrancisCO. The r��� ;,� �,�� �''� �"' � � ; � �
-city wanted the l�ghts removed ���� °R ;v°���� � r� � � y�} � �
�because the exhaust fumes from ,,�.� �_ �� "� i "k- �.,��p , � ��s �, � �
idling cars cause pollution and the fi ,- � "�.
f� 3
� accident rate—about 200 a year—�s ��°��`�� z� ` "� '"?` E,
much higher than , the average �` �� q� ��
� four-lane urban freeway. Also �> '�� �,,,,�� ,: � ��\ '� - � -
� backs up for blocks as � ����' � ,�� � �� �� � �
�residenta wait for the -light to �� '�. " - '� �" - �'� :'��
�: briefly flash green. The .average �<�,�`� � . r� ' �'° ;
; wait is four minutes; aeeording to �� 4 � ��
' �rCal4rans, and up�to eight minutes �„�'" -." ; " ��3F�
'on busy Weekends: That makes �t �., �.�^� = 7 �� '� �
. the longest traffic signal in the �� ���1 g�' „_
°;state. ��� m � � � �
3�a `"�I`��&a�i a l ,g � , r .
, : `ABulldozerApProach' . .�.� ,; �.,"�� . � '�' �'� � ���I� . �- ; ,� y �,.� '�.:
�If both the�city and state shared ' � � '� `�� �,���� � �•
� the same basic goal,..why has the � �,��SS ; 1 ��, �
� project taken so long? - � � a � �� „� .. �' �. �,;' "
During the 1960s, Caltrans "took � � �'; � � "T E�. ,, e x, � i
a bulldozer approach" and was'no[ y,., ;� , , , "� � , � �� ' '.
: used to negotiating ivith local gov �'��,� ��
' c � z f "� � ,�C- �i
���e J �v I
: ernment, said Gerald LQrdon, d�- � ° �' ,��, ,� -0 � �'� ,�,,
rector of the Area Elanning Coun- � :.: ,��
, � cil, an association'of local cities. , � � . . � ����""
And Santa Barbara would. not ac- ' � � �, waxs eesse� / ws a�ge�� mm�
cepe"justanyfreewaydesign." Engineers Marty Nicholson, left; and Mel BroWn examine model
� Caltrans offered the elevated of crossing that is expected to ease Santa Barbara traffic woes. �
�: freeway. The city opposed it. The . �� , . � , �,
.'<freeway would block views of:�.the � � . , . � ' � � � � � ',
.: beach, city officials said, divide the the elevated freeway, city officials . Evenfually; Caltrans took a more� '
� city in two, and the Glevation would sugges[ed 'a depressed freeway,� conciliatory approach and Santa
� accentua[e the freeway's noise and�; µ.�th the �- roadbed below '�street � Barbara became mo�e amenable to - i
:.exhaust fumes. -� � surface and cross-streets going . compromise. By � 1971, the City �
Callahan, who served An the City over the highwayt The state was � Council and the state � agreed on a�'�
� Council from 1949 to 1958, was one� not receptive because of the great- ground-level freeway proposal � �
: of the few,city officials�who sup-� er expense and technical' difficul- '� with under-crossings for three i
, ported the original proposaL � ties. So city officials devised a main down[own streets. On Nov. 3, �
. "Here we are, almost 40 years number of other variations on the � of that year, � a Times headline ��
� later, still talking about that damn proposaL, none of which were ac- � announced:
�, freeway," said Callahan, 91, ce ted. � -�. �"Freeway Route OK, Ends Long
'�, laughing. "I hope I live. to see the -. Throughout much of the 1950s �. Dispute" � '
; day iYs finished." �,. and 1960s, the city and state were But the next year a new City
• Callahan, a retired con[rac{or, at odds. Neither�side could agree on Council was elected and it had
� said he wanted the freeway built in , a ptan. Out of despera[ion Caltrans reservations about the project. The
;.the 1950s because. "we� needed� it even briefly studied a proposal to council studied a depressetl free-
'and the price was right" :The
�� estimate for the original proposaC � avoid the city entirely by rerouting way again, but even[ually re[urned
? was for $6 million. The project will U.S. 101 through the mountains to to the plan that had been approved. -
� : now cost abou[ $32 million [or th8 the northeast. So for the next three years [hey
- ' 1'Fz-mile freeway construction, � So many proposals had ' been e�camined variations of Chis propos-
� which includes bridges, under- suggested that the subject became al until, in the mid-1970s, a com-
� crossings and �pedestrian walk- ripe for satire. A local comedy promisewasreached.
: ways. �. � .. group at. the time suggested that The plan was tinally accep[ed by
� For every Caltrans proposal, the the li.�z miles of 101 through Santa both the city.'and the _state. The
� city has offered a counterproposaL Barbara be suspended from Navy . city's aesthetic and environmentaP
=Soon after Santa Barbara rejected blimps. concerns were satisfied. The state's
, . .. � �
budgetary limits were not exceed-
ed.
So why wasn't the freeway built
. in the mid-1970s? Why wasdCthis
long-delayed, snake-bitten project'
finally put to rest? I
"Ba'sically, we didn'E have the I -
� � money;' said Marty Nicholson ofl �
Caltrans. � �
Funding for new freeway proj-
ects dried up during the mid-1970s
� to the early 1980s, Nicholson said.
��� � Highway funds didn't keep pace �� ,
with inflation and the Administra-
tion of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.
was reluctant to allocate funds for
, road wnstruction. When Brown
left office in 1983, planning for the�
��� freeway eommenced at last. And � ' -
' � . during the �last few years the city� , �
� . , and state� held meetings, refined .
�� , � � • the design and planned for con- �
� � struction. . � - � �
Instead of traffic lights and the
four=lane highway, an e�cpanded
siac-lane freeway will be built.
Under-crossings for both pedestri-
� � � . � � � ans and cars�will tie constructed at - �
Garden and Statestreetstoconnect
' � - � - the waterfront with downtown. - .
� � - � OccasionalLaneClosures , � �
� . All four lanes of the highway will
- � . .remain open during_the day and� .
weekends throughout construc-
tion, and Caltrans officials do nob
anticipate any major traffic prob- '
. � lems. After 9 p.m., there occasion- � � � ,
ally will be lane closures, but one
. � . southbound�and one�northbound
lane witl be open at all times.
. -�.� . Caltrans witl begin work on the � .
southbound lanes during the next
�, . year, then begin construction on �
thenoithboundlanes.
"Somebody should do a Ph.D.
� <thesis'on the long and �
history of this freeway;'said David
. Gebhard, chairman of the Freeway
Design Committee an organization
., . of local architectural e�cperts �who .. -
� � .. studied the various proposals. "The � - �
� � � community iesponse has been . . �
. � - . quite unusual. I can't think o[ any � �
,' �� � place in the state where pcop(e , ,
. . - � have.shown the same determina-
� . �� � � . . tion in fighting the design of some- � -
� �' . - ' � thing like a freeway." � _