Traffic, Second Post

I guess the best way to deal with the number one issue concerning any and all development within the area known as "Ponte Vista" is to encourage everyone's comments about this issue.

The most common question both Mr. Bisno and the folks at the L.A.U.S.D. have heard for the past many, many months goes something like this:

Have you ever been on Western Avenue during the morning "rush" hour or between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.?

Mr. Bisno's representative would like you to know that no matter whether Mr. Bisno builds nothing inside Ponte Vista or 2,300 homes, traffic will get worse. The gentleman indicated that by using Mr. Bisno's plans for traffic mitigation, the traffic will not get to be as bad as it would if nothing were built at Ponte Vista. You can believe this or not.

I can't imagine building anything more than just R-1 lots with single-family homes if there is not a road between Western Avenue and Gaffey Street constructed. I would also, as much as, insist that a new set of ramps be placed on the Harbor Freeway, with access to these ramps from Gaffey Street and going up the hill between the refinery and the northernmost warehouse. Everyone tells me that it is an "impossible road" to build. They will say that the Navy will never sell land for the road, and that the refinery won't move it's tanks and pipelines to accommodate the road.
If these "facts" are true, then I'm not smart enough to find ways to mitigate what will happen to Western Avenue in the future.

If you go to google earth and zoom in on the area between the Harbor Freeway and where the Ponte Vista site is, you will all see the route pop into your eyes. It is a straight line from the freeway, between the warehouse and the refinery, down to Gaffey. Follow the terrain from Gaffey Street to the eastern edge of Ponte Vista, and the road will magically appear. From that point there would be an intersection. At the intersection, a road will go east to the new Mary Star High School. From that intersection, the road could go either of two ways. It could snake south and then west along the property line to Western Avenue, or it would snake west passed whatever high school might be built. Either way, Mr. Bisno and emergency vehicles would have an eastern entry way to the gated property.

The road that I envision would be VERY expensive for such a short distance. Besides purchasing the land for the road, petroleum pipes and perhaps some tanks would have to be relocated. Unfortunately the only organization dealing with areas within Ponte Vista that has deep enough pockets to pay or such a road is the L.A.U.S.D. They will cry "poverty" to the idea of them funding a major portion of the road. I would think that because residents of Ponte Vista and folks traveling to and from Mary Star High School would benefit so much, that they would pay a portion of the costs.

A new road in the vicinity of Gaffey Street, as well as the J.C.C. Homes project will hopefully add two more nails in the coffins of the Amerigas tanks that shouldn't have been put there in the first place.

The road I seek is my first attempt to help mitigate traffic problems on Western Avenue. Some of you have great ideas too, I bet.

Traffic will get worse, whether Mr. Bisno builds anything inside Ponte Vista. Your ideas and comments will help liven the conversations.

I will be posting facts about current traffic issues and future projections.