Left-Turn Help Off Topanga at Center on Way

Dear Traffic Talk:

The corner of Clarendon Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard needs serious consideration for a left-turn signal.

There are times when cars must wait through three signal changes before a left turn can be made into the busiest shopping center in that area.

Customers who come to the markets, banks, a drugstore, a bookstore and numerous small businesses in this center create a serious traffic problem.

I believe some of that could be eliminated if a left-turn signal was installed.

Carol Hillman

Woodland Hills

Dear Carol:

Caltrans and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation are negotiating a left-turn signal at that intersection, according to authorities.

The intersection is controlled by both the city and Caltrans since Topanga Canyon is a state highway.

The city department had previously approved a left-turn signal there and consulted Caltrans about planning the project, said Ray Wellbaum, an engineer with the department.

Caltrans consequently issued the city an encroachment permit that expires in June.

Wellbaum said the project is under design, a process that should conclude in October.

When the design stage is completed, he said, the department would give the project a high priority.

If all goes well, the light could be in place by the first quarter of next year, Wellbaum said.

His department is also negotiating with Caltrans for that agency’s fair share of the work, he said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Accidents occur at least once a week at the intersection of Rosita Street and Reseda Boulevard in Tarzana, approximately a mile south of Ventura Boulevard.

Although there is a stop sign on Reseda at Rosita, the sign is very difficult to see. In fact, beginning in the spring and through the fall, the sign is almost totally blocked by the foliage of a large tree.

There is a sign about 50 yards prior to the stop sign warning of the impending stop, but that is small and inconspicuous.

I often see police cars parked on Rosita waiting for violators.

It is true that people who are familiar with the area often come to a rolling rather than a complete stop. However, there are a number of people who are unfamiliar with the area who do not see the sign at all and either go right through it or cause an accident.

Can the city post a more visible stop sign?

Leslie Marell

Tarzana

Dear Leslie:

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will take several measures to make that intersection safer, according to officials.

An inspection of the site revealed there was no visibility problem on northbound Reseda, said Ray Wellbaum, a transportation engineer.

Southbound, however, some trees blocked the stop sign and a preceding “Stop Ahead” sign is missing.

The department has issued a work order to replace the “Stop Ahead” sign and paint indicators on the road surface--including a “STOP” sign in the median.

The work should be completed in about a month, Wellbaum said.

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]