Turn Limits Sought to Cut Traffic

Dear Traffic Talk:

We live in a Sherman Oaks neighborhood that is being used to service cut-through traffic from the Valley to the Westside.

People turn left from Sepulveda Boulevard to Valley Meadow Road, left on Castlewoods Drive, left on Tobin Way, left on Alana Drive and right on Dartford Way to get back on Sepulveda. Every morning, it is a nightmare attempting to get out of my garage. Vehicles passing by my house are honking and going at excessive speeds.

All we ask for is a “No Left Turn Between 7 and 9 a.m.” sign for southbound drivers on Sepulveda who want to turn left onto Valley Meadow.

--Stig Stenhoj

Sherman Oaks

Dear Stig:

A “No Left Turn” sign at Sepulveda and Valley Meadow is not acceptable to many residents because there is already a left-turn pocket there, said Yadi Hashemi, an engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s neighborhood traffic management section.

Engineers considered placing a “No Left Turn” sign at Tobin and Alana, but residents said this also would be inconvenient, he said.

According to Hashemi, engineers are considering installing a left-turn protective arrow--meaning drivers can turn only during the arrow--at Sepulveda and Valley Meadow that would have a short length to deter drivers from using it. But engineers are concerned that the arrow would make drivers use nearby streets, transferring cut-through traffic elsewhere.

Engineers and officials will meet with residents in early December to consider other solutions, Hashemi said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I live on Medina Road in Woodland Hills. Residents are removing “No Parking” signs from in front of or near their properties. Often, there are vehicles parked illegally, especially near curves, making driving dangerous. There are numerous parking infractions along this street. What can be done to return safety to our neighborhood?

--Dan Symmes

Woodland Hills

Dear Dan:

Stolen signs will be replaced, and officers will cite and possibly impound vehicles creating a traffic hazard, said Capt. Darryl Roberson at the Valley parking enforcement office. To report complaints, call the office’s 24-hour complaint board at (818) 756-9418.

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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.