Traffic Flow

While traffic congestion around most malls is worse on Black Friday weekend, the flow on streets around the Glendale Galleria was better last year compared to weekends in December 2010, according to statistics from a major manufacturer of automotive navigation systems. The Galleria ranked seventh among malls with better traffic flow on Black Friday weekend, according to information from TomTom. Mall of America in Minneapolis topped the list, followed by South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and NorthPark Center in Dallas.

State transportation officials today said they will close Western Avenue under the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in Glendale from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday as part of a realignment of the interchange that is expected to be completed next summer. The California Department of Transportation, in announcing the closure today, said the majority of the work would be performed at night to minimize traffic impacts, although the construction schedule was subject to change. Detour signs will be posted.

Western Avenue will be closed under the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in Glendale for construction work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. today. Detour signs will be posted for the work, which is scheduled to close the stretch of roadway each night for the same period through Thursday, according the California Department of Transportation. The construction is part of a realignment of the interchange that is expected to be completed next summer. The majority of the work will be performed at night to minimize traffic impacts, although the construction schedule is subject to change, Caltrans warned.

A $3.2-million project for intersection and rail improvements at the rail crossing at Buena Vista and Van Owen streets is scheduled to begin in March after more than five years of trying to accumulate enough funding for the work. The project has been on the books since 2005 and is tapping up to eight funding sources to break ground, city officials said. “It's something that's been a long time coming and I'm ready to start construction as soon as possible,” Burbank Assistant Public Works Director Ken Johnson said.

Marshall Allen The city of La Canada Flintridge continues its Oak Grove Drive improvements with a traffic signal to be installed this summer and a possible project that would beautify the islands in front of La Canada High School. In January, traffic cutouts installed in front of the school dramatically improved the traffic situation, said Andrea Terry, safety chairman for the high school 9-12 PTSA. The city has approved and ordered a traffic signal to be installed this summer on Oak Grove Drive, in front of the flag pole entrance to La Canada High School.

Plans to reduce a one-mile section of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose by one lane to make dedicated room for bicyclists head to the City Council on Tuesday. Proponents say the so-called “road diet” will make it safer for cyclists, but the plan to temporarily cut one lane in each direction to vehicle traffic has angered some residents. The road diet, which would be between Ramsdell and Sunset avenues to make way for the designated bike paths, was set to begin this summer, but a routine status meeting last month put the project on hold.

Meter lights are now operational at all on-ramps to the Foothill (210) Freeway in Crescenta Valley and La Cañada. On Wednesday morning, meters were being turned on along the 210 between the Golden State (I-5) Freeway and the Ventura (State Route 134) Freeway as well as along the entire 50-mile I-210 corridor from the San Bernardino county line to the I-5. Wednesday was also the first day the meters were turned on at the La Crescenta Avenue eastbound entrance to the freeway and the activation may have caught many off guard including commuters and parents dropping their children off at Crescenta Valley High School and La Crescenta Elementary.

In my mind, the city has two options for safer streets -- one immediate option and one longer term. The immediate option is policing. I believe that frequent and random task force like actions along Brand Boulevard by a large number of police citing all infractions would immediately make the Brand business area more safe. Yes, more safe. One only need try to navigate Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood to understand what unsafe really is. The longer solution is complicated and expensive, but, I believe, necessary and in everyone's interest.

GLENDALE — Two days after the Fairmont Avenue bridge officially opened to vehicles at the San Fernando Road interchange, officials say traffic has been relatively light. Public Works officials expect traffic to increase as more people learn that the bridge is open. Still, officials said traffic has been heavier during the morning and afternoon rush. "Folks who live and work in the area have likely being taking alternate routes over the last two years due to the construction, so the use will increase as awareness increases," Public Works Director Steve Zurn said.

Plans to reduce a one-mile section of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose by one lane to make dedicated room for bicyclists head to the City Council on Tuesday. Proponents say the so-called “road diet” will make it safer for cyclists, but the plan to temporarily cut one lane in each direction to vehicle traffic has angered some residents. The road diet, which would be between Ramsdell and Sunset avenues to make way for the designated bike paths, was set to begin this summer, but a routine status meeting last month put the project on hold.

A $3.2-million project for intersection and rail improvements at the rail crossing at Buena Vista and Van Owen streets is scheduled to begin in March after more than five years of trying to accumulate enough funding for the work. The project has been on the books since 2005 and is tapping up to eight funding sources to break ground, city officials said. “It's something that's been a long time coming and I'm ready to start construction as soon as possible,” Burbank Assistant Public Works Director Ken Johnson said.

While traffic congestion around most malls is worse on Black Friday weekend, the flow on streets around the Glendale Galleria was better last year compared to weekends in December 2010, according to statistics from a major manufacturer of automotive navigation systems. The Galleria ranked seventh among malls with better traffic flow on Black Friday weekend, according to information from TomTom. Mall of America in Minneapolis topped the list, followed by South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and NorthPark Center in Dallas.

Western Avenue will be closed under the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in Glendale for construction work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. today. Detour signs will be posted for the work, which is scheduled to close the stretch of roadway each night for the same period through Thursday, according the California Department of Transportation. The construction is part of a realignment of the interchange that is expected to be completed next summer. The majority of the work will be performed at night to minimize traffic impacts, although the construction schedule is subject to change, Caltrans warned.

State transportation officials today said they will close Western Avenue under the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in Glendale from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday as part of a realignment of the interchange that is expected to be completed next summer. The California Department of Transportation, in announcing the closure today, said the majority of the work would be performed at night to minimize traffic impacts, although the construction schedule was subject to change. Detour signs will be posted.

Construction on the Golden State (5) Freeway through Burbank will halt over the weekend to ease stress on what could become a major relief valve for motorists seeking to get around the 405 Freeway closure, transportation officials said. The work stoppage will affect all freeways in L.A. County during the closure to prevent the so-called “carmegeddon” from actually happening, although crews might still work on a few projects that won’t impact traffic flow, said Patrick Chandler, spokesman for the California Department of Transportation.

GLENDALE — Two days after the Fairmont Avenue bridge officially opened to vehicles at the San Fernando Road interchange, officials say traffic has been relatively light. Public Works officials expect traffic to increase as more people learn that the bridge is open. Still, officials said traffic has been heavier during the morning and afternoon rush. "Folks who live and work in the area have likely being taking alternate routes over the last two years due to the construction, so the use will increase as awareness increases," Public Works Director Steve Zurn said.

Meter lights are now operational at all on-ramps to the Foothill (210) Freeway in Crescenta Valley and La Cañada. On Wednesday morning, meters were being turned on along the 210 between the Golden State (I-5) Freeway and the Ventura (State Route 134) Freeway as well as along the entire 50-mile I-210 corridor from the San Bernardino county line to the I-5. Wednesday was also the first day the meters were turned on at the La Crescenta Avenue eastbound entrance to the freeway and the activation may have caught many off guard including commuters and parents dropping their children off at Crescenta Valley High School and La Crescenta Elementary.

CITY HALL — A proposed 11-story Hyatt hotel for downtown received its first round of approvals Tuesday, sending the project forward for fine-tuning as it continues to undergo environmental review. The Redevelopment Agency strongly supported the proposed 172-room Hyatt Place Hotel for its modern style and incorporation of underground public parking that will replace the current 59-space surface lot at the corner of West Wilson and North Central avenues. Developers of the proposed hotel for 225 W. Wilson Ave. must still address sign issues and complete environmental studies on the project’s potentially significant impact to the city’s sewer system and traffic flow.