Open letter to Caltrans regarding the safety and pavement project for Topanga Canyon Boulevard:
The greatest hazard on the boulevard is the tendency of many drivers to cross the line that separates them from oncoming traffic. This is one of the deadly actions that occur, not just daily, but countless times a day. Follow any automobile and you will find that most drivers cross over the line multiple times in just a few miles of travel.
This violation has several aspects: first, an apparent sense of entitlement and disregard for human life, demonstrated by drivers' negligence that has the potential to seriously harm other drivers who find themselves behind the person who is willing to drift over the line and possibly clip an oncoming vehicle when both are traveling at high speeds. The need for Botts dots is revealed by deteriorations of the center line, erosions that come from countless incidents of vehicles crossing over the center line.
The solution to this could be Botts, Botts and more Botts; real Botts that swiftly remind drivers when they are crossing the center line, Botts which create difficulty for those who wish to disregard that center line. In other words, Botts that swiftly correct the driver, similar to some of the large Botts that are placed on southbound Pacific Coast Highway between Topanga and Sunset Boulevard.
Regarding speed limits that apply on TCB, some cars can take curves well at 35 mph and still stay within their lane, while most cars need to adjust that speed downward until they can control their vehicle. The acceptable speed should be determined by the ability of each particular vehicle to take deep curves while keeping within their designated lane.
Another problem on Highway 27 is the willingness of drivers to take another action with potential to kill others–the unlawful and dangerous passing of vehicles in a no passing zone. This action endangers all drivers, not just the one who is violating the law and seems perfectly willing to endanger others for a two minute gain. The solution to this might be a permanent CHP phone number to report violations, combined with a prompt and firm follow up from CHP, plus additional patrols to control this action where it occurs at the entry to the Canyon from PCH, and right after the village.
The final absurdity would be Caltrans attempting to resolve these issues by saturating the road with a massive application of signage–multiple signage that overwhelms an area without result, like the 17 huge arrow signs, all placed on Topanga Canyon Boulevard within one block right after the Mulholland intersection. These signs are a visual abomination, mindlessly placed way too close together, distracting drivers and destroying our natural environment. We know the road curves sharply without those 17 signs all bunched together. The State of California cannot even provide our children with books, while Caltrans evidently has the funds to deface the entire state with hideous and mindless signage.
Caltrans, do not attempt to resolve the severe traffic problems on Topanga Canyon Boulevard with signage. We deserve better and more solid solutions.
–Sharon Lee Rosewoman, Fernwood Preservation Committee
"Unintended consequences" and "Be careful what you ask for, you just may get it"–these are two of my most favorite phrases lately because they sum up what has happened in our Canyon over the last few years. Let me explain.
A while ago most residents in the Canyon were concerned about a single issue–the rate of speed cars were traveling through the Canyon. Letter writing and phone calls to Caltrans, California Highway Patrol and our elected officials prompted a community meeting with our wonderful State Senator, Sheila Kuehl.
What came out of that meeting was a great idea–the Topanga Canyon Traffic Committee. Various stakeholders were going to be represented. They started to work on what I thought was going to be a common goal–to reduce the speed of the traffic.
How wrong I was.
Everyone on the committee had good intentions, but somehow we began to lose sight of the speeding cars and started to be concerned about ingress and egress of the Canyon residents. We began to talk about signage as a way to combat the problem. All of a sudden more and more signs began to appear. We were concerned with residents coming into and out of the Post Office (rightfully so), but the way we chose to deal with that was to recommend having signs made to restrict residents from turning left during certain hours instead of dealing with the speeding cars coming through the Canyon. We started top see No Parking signs go up. Now instead of being able to park near Dr. Roy's office on the street, you couldn't. This was not dealing with the speeding cars coming through the Canyon but restricting residents from parking along the road.
I always thought the simplest way to deal with the speeding cars was to make sure there was a Highway Patrol presence. The cost would pay for itself. I know CHP was game even though there was a shortage of manpower.
Now we have the latest issue–the re-paving of the boulevard. Looking at the plans I see an entire roadway being re-paved even though in my opinion it is not necessary. Parts yes, but the entire road no. The plans call for guard-railing of the entire Canyon on both sides of the road and widening of certain parts. When they are finished in a year, we will have a roadway that will give the impression that it is safer to drive faster on, even though it's not. There will be more accidents–an unintended consequence. There will be a huge disruption for our business community. All this on a road that just needed the cars to travel slower on. The project will cost the taxpayers $5.8million. We are told that if it is not used they lose the money. To that I say…. alright let's have a modified project. Do work where it is necessary only. Put guardrails up where it is proven to be a hazard only. Use the guardrails that the County uses on old Canyon road instead of the ugly galvanized ones. A road that encourages speeding is not a safer road.
The community will have the chance to voice its thoughts about this project at the meeting that is set for Thursday August 18 at 7 p.m. in the Community House. I hope we have a big turnout to discuss the issue fully
–Roger Pugliese
