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SUMMARY: OVERLAND BRIDGE WIDENING PROJECT
MEETING
September 21, 2006
Rancho
Park-Palms Library
This is the summary of the meeting regarding
the plan to widen the Overland Avenue bridge between National Place and
National Boulevard. There were about 50 people at the meeting plus about
ten folks from various agencies involved with the project: Councilman
Jack Weiss' office, LADOT, CalTrans, the engineering company. There were
design boards on easels and people were given an opportunity to ask
questions of the staff while reviewing the boards following which there
was a meeting to answer written questions. Westside Village was
well-represented by about ten residents, including three Board members.
In the audience were members of all the
local neighborhood associations and councils and it was clear from the
questions which neighborhood the person represented or where they
resided. For example, the Cheviot people were most involved in the early
aspects of this project as part of the Fox Traffic Mitigation and
definitely wanted this project to get started -- and make certain that
the number of cars that turn left at the National/Overland exit -- and
go toward Motor instead of Overland, is reduced. Of course, many of the
others were more concerned with actual traffic on Overland during the
construction phase. Westwood Gardens, Cheviot, Overland Avenue (north of
Pico), Palms NC and MVCC/WVCA were all represented -- and probably other
groups but no one wore name/organization badges so I am not sure of
other groups represented but I am sure there was a good response from
most of the bordering groups.
Here's what we learned about the project:
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This project is on the books to go forward.
It is federally funded and is scheduled to begin at the end of 2007 and
end in 2009.
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In the beginning, the work will be from underneath
and will not affect traffic flow on the bridge. However, after
about three to four months, there will be one lane closed in each
direction during "non-peak hours" (9:30 to 3:30).
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The staging area (where trucks and equipment stays when not in use)
will be on areas not affecting traffic on the on-ramp/off-ramp areas
of the freeway.
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The final goal is to unclog the congestion so that traffic can flow
smoothly onto the freeway in both directions -- for the next 20 years.
There was time after the presentation to ask
questions. My questions concerned the steps needed to help with traffic
flow now and during construction -- specifically better traffic signals
at both intersections, better signage and improved striping of the
westbound lanes as they approach Overland, turn right and go northward.
My questions were "going to be looked into" -- as long as I wrote them
up on their form, which I did.
Apparently my questions and concerns were
taken seriously because on the day following the meeting, I received two
calls from Mr. Barj Sarkis of the Design Office of LADOT. He was
checking out the lane striping on the turn from National (westward) onto
Overland Avenue and explained that although usually the right hand lane
would “hug” the curb and go into the near right lane of Overland
northbound, in this case there is inadequate space to do so;
consequently, the two right lanes are guided into the second and third
northbound lanes on Overland, leaving nowhere for cars entering from
National Place (eastbound) to enter the flow of traffic.
Additionally, I have been concerned about
the eastbound National Boulevard traffic congestion as it approaches
Overland. It is not clear that opposing traffic (off of the freeway)
will stop when there is a green light. Also, the signage regarding the
upcoming 10 freeway could be improved – frequently drivers make a quick
right and interrupt traffic rather than going straight and finding
themselves on the freeway.
Mr. Sarkis will keep me posted on solutions
to these problems, however, it is assumed that all traffic will flow
better when the construction of the widening project is completed in
2009! Unfortunately, with increased traffic in our neighborhood (and and
throughout Los Angeles), more than a year of construction might be
painful.
As additional information comes to us
regarding the project, we will keep everyone informed at this website.
Roberta Schiller
Zone
1 Director, MVCC Board Member, WVCA
