Traffic Signs Steer Drivers Into Trouble

Dear Traffic Talk:

I was driving north on Cahuenga Boulevard when I saw some construction signs reading “Right Lane Closed Ahead.” Along with other drivers, I merged to the center lane, causing a slowdown and a minor traffic jam. However, as I drove along I realized the construction crews had gone home for the night, the holes were covered with steel plates and there was no need to merge the traffic.

It could have caused accidents, did precipitate a jam and is at the least irritating.

Isn’t there a law that requires signs such as these to be covered or turned from view of drivers when they are not valid?

David Haldeman

Studio City

Dear Reader:

As you point out, incorrect traffic signs are both annoying and potentially dangerous. And yes, there are rules about their use.

Signs announcing “Road Construction Ahead” must remain visible at all times to alert drivers, while signs that reroute traffic should be turned away at the end of each work day, said Greg Scott, assistant director of the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Maintenance.

There is actually a guidebook that public and private crews are supposed to follow, called the Work Area Traffic Control Handbook (WATCH), which proves road work is more complex than littering an area with orange signs and rubber cones. Engineers scout project areas for detour routes and work hours are based upon a job’s priority.

None of these requirements can do much about human error, though. The signs are the equivalent of a store whose open or closed sign is flipped the wrong way.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Caltrans has now started to paint wavy lines at many freeway exits. They look like the line-painter was drunk. Please explain what is meant by these strange lines.

Jerry Feldman

Northridge

Dear Reader:

Don’t worry, the road crews haven’t been drinking. The crooked lines you’ve seen aren’t even painted on.

The California Department of Transportation uses white plastic strips to create temporary lines in areas with a lot of construction or plans for a new lane. They are embedded with reflective material so they’re more visible at night and in the rain.

These faux lines are indistinguishable from paint at freeway speeds, but can warp or be knocked off kilter.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I am writing again to ask about the reopening of the Sierra Highway off-ramp on the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway.

You wrote previously that Caltrans said because of complications with construction the off-ramp would not reopen until Feb. 28, rather than the original opening date of Jan. 6. Now, more than three months later, it is still closed.

Can you tell us what is going on?

Glen Anderson

Santa Clarita

Dear Reader:

The Sierra Highway off-ramp now qualifies as a nifty Southern California trivia answer.

It reopened without fanfare May 23 as the last part of the Antelope Valley Freeway to be repaired after the Northridge earthquake.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers can submit comments and questions about traffic, commuting and what makes it difficult to get around the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, 91311. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303, or fax them to (818) 772-3385.