Mayor’s traffic plan is delayed

The city has agreed to delay for three weeks a plan to try to speed traffic on Olympic and Pico boulevards on the Westside, according to the office of the city attorney. Implementation of the plan, proposed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, was supposed to begin Saturday.

Two groups filed individual suits last week to stop the plan, which they allege was not properly studied under California environmental law. The groups -- the Westwood South of Santa Monica Boulevard Homeowners Assn. and the Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce -- fear that the plan will actually put more cars on both streets and affect businesses and residences.

The city’s plan is to synchronize traffic signals to give an advantage to westbound traffic on Olympic and eastbound traffic on Pico. In addition, the city wants to eliminate most street parking on both streets during the morning and afternoon rush hours to give an extra lane to vehicles.

-- Steve Hymon