If Lines Are White, Turn Is All Right

Dear Traffic Talk: Traveling north on White Oak Boulevard in Encino I must turn left to go into the parking lot of Our Lady of Grace church, but there is a double white line that confuses me and many of my friends. Am I allowed to cross it to turn into the lot and later to make a left turn as I exit?

Norman Anstead, Tarzana

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Dear Norman: You are allowed to cross double white lines, says California Highway Patrol Sgt. Ernie Sanchez, unless there’s a posted sign prohibiting it.

That’s because, in most cases, white lines are advisory but not regulatory--meaning a motorist can cross them.

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Dear Traffic Talk: I commute on Branford Street in Arleta, and about a couple of months ago there was a project done on Branford Street, but they left part of the road unpaved.

Will the street be left like that, or will they finish the work they started?

Jose Rodriguez, Arleta

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Dear Jose: That portion of Branford Street, up to San Fernando Road, won’t get paved any time soon, because it’s on what’s called a “utility hold.”

In this case, the hold is in place because a water reclamation line pipe must be installed under the street before the paving can be done.

Ed O’Neal, superintendent of resurfacing for the city of L.A. Bureau of Street Maintenance, says the project probably won’t be completed until the 1999-2000 work year.

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Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to: Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. Fax letters to: (818) 772-3385; e-mail questions to: valley.news@latimes.com.