Plan aims to manage traffic
WEST L.A. A proposal to remove parking during rush hour and alter traffic lights along Pico and Olympic boulevards to favor one-way traffic flow received a cold reception by Angelenos earlier this week, who argued the plan would harm businesses on the busy corridors.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the “Olympic West-Pico East” plan in November, an initiative that aims to alleviate congestion on the two boulevards by changing signaling patterns during peak hours so that westbound traffic is favored on Olympic and eastbound traffic flow on Pico. The proposal covers a roughly seven-mile stretch of the two streets from La Brea Avenue to the Santa Monica city border at Centinela Avenue.
The changes could have an effect on traffic flow in Santa Monica as both boulevards serve as arteries for commuters coming into and out of the city. L.A. transportation officials said they are working with city planners in Santa Monica to ensure a smooth transition.
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who represents West Los Angeles, where the majority of congestion is concentrated, held a town hall meeting with residents and city planners on Wednesday evening, a night when many Westsiders complained that city officials should instead save taxpayer’s money and synchronize signaliza-tion and keep street parking intact.
“You have businesses that will be adversely affected,” said Al Casas, a member of the West L.A. Neighborhood Council. “I don’t think it’s fair to them when you haven’t (used) all the methods available to you.”
Casas said he would much rather wait at a red light for an extra minute and fly through a series of intersections without stopping, rather than waiting at a light for only two minutes and having to stop at the next block.
But according to Ken Husting, the senior transportation planner with L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT), there is only so much that can be done with signal timing.
“We timed signals as best we can,” Husting said. The mayor’s proposal incorporates ideas from L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, which suggested last year that Pico and Olympic boulevards each be turned into one-way streets. Rather than doing that, the mayor’s recommendation would favor one direction while keeping traffic on the other side alive.
The three-phase project could be implemented as soon as March, starting with the removal of the morning and early evening peak period parking, adding an extra lane for traffic flow. The phase, estimated to cost about $300,000, is projected to improve traffic speed by roughly 2 mph.
The $300,000 second phase, which would come about a month later, would see the implementation of traffic signalization changes, which could improve speeds by up to 6 mph, according to transportation planners.
After evaluating both measures for about three months, the third phase could be implemented if the changes actually ends up encouraging more traffic onto Pico and Olympic boulevards, Husting said. The third phase, which could cost $1.5 million, would add a peak period lane.
The most pressing issue amongst Angelenos seemed to be the impact on business.
“We’re tired of being a stepping stone for solving every problem,” said Jay Handal, the chairman of the Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
If parking is removed on Pico Boulevard, which seems to be the area that would lose the most because of the concentration of mom and pop businesses, the loss of revenue will not only affect those shops, but will also take away from the local general fund, Handal said.
“We lose every day when you take away cars and business,” he said to the panel of city planners and officials in attendance. “Why not refine our lights instead of screwing our businesses.”
“Amen,” a member of the audience murmured. Terry Smulen, who lives in the Faircrest neighborhood near Fairfax, said she was concerned with the impact on businesses with the loss of parking. Smulen, who lives just south of Pico, added that the boulevard has recently seen an influx of small shops and boutiques.
If there’s going to be changes along Pico and Olympic, impacting the residents and businesses, then every street should be turned to one-way, Smulen said.
“If we’re doing one-way streets, then let’s do it all over the city,” Smulen said after the meeting. “I feel we’re being punished for the rest of the city.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 12, 2008. Read the original PDF.