Study on 101 Freeway moves into second gear
By John Loesing
Acorn Staff Writer

An exhaustive government study of the 101 Freeway officially got underway this month, but like the slow-moving traffic that gives it a woeful reputation, the effort could take longer than two years to complete.

The $4.5 million study seeks ways to reduce freeway congestion and improve safety in the 40-mile stretch between downtown Los Angeles—where the 101 crunches into the 110—and Thousand Oaks where the Ventura Freeway meets the 23 Freeway.

Consultants and government officials will discuss the project in a series of community meetings starting Jan. 22.

The New York-based engineering firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. will work with Caltrans, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Southern California Association of Governments and the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments in preparing the study.

Gov. Gray Davis’ traffic congestion relief program will contribute $3 million to the project. Local agencies will pay the rest.

According to previous studies, the freeway traffic between Westlake Village and North Hollywood alone is pegged at more than 250,000 cars and trucks per day. Because of the increasing gridlock, the estimated average freeway speed is only 20 to 30 mph–and getting slower.

"(The 101) is one of the most important corridors in the state," said state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles). "It needs the kind of attention we’re giving it."

Skeptics have said the problems warrant more than just another study. Real action needs to be taken, they’ve said.

Agoura Hills City Councilman Jeff Reinhardt, an advisor to the study, acknowledges the wheels of government move slowly. But he added that studies are still important. According to Reinhardt, the Hollywood Freeway has been the subject of much scrutiny, but the Ventura Freeway hasn’t.

"Our area has not had a whole lot of focus," Reinhardt said. "No matter what occurred in those previous studies, no large scale improvements of any magnitude are going to be accomplished without a study. This is the bedrock upon which any improvements are going to be made."

The goals of the study are to:

•Develop of a full range of multi-modal transportation strategies that will make short- and long-term improvements within the 101 Freeway Corridor.

•Improve the level of service by increasing average speeds and reducing peak period delays.

•Enhance traffic flow and access while improving traffic safety.

•Improve air quality by reducing traffic pollution.

•Reduce commuter traffic in residential neighborhoods.

•Identify funding programs to pay for the improvements.

Unlike previous efforts, this study seeks broad public input. Community meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tues., Jan. 22 at Encino Tarzana Medical Center, 16237 Ventura Blvd., Encino; Wed., Jan. 23 at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, 27040 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas; and Thurs., Jan. 24 at Los Angeles City College, 855 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.

Details about the study are at www.communityspeakup.com/101.