[Want your own rant? See the Rant Meme: http://cahwyguy.livejournal.com/1029809.html This rant is for alohawolf, who wanted a rant on “Transportation Planning in the State of California” Remember: the rant meme is a great creative writing exercise. Just follow the instructions and post it to your own journal.]
[He walks out, with a soapbox. He sets it on the ground. He climbs up on it, and speaks…]
I drive the 405 every workday. Yes, “the 405”. I’m from Southern California. Deal.
Right now, I get to deal with one of the biggest planned traffic jam ever: the widening of the 405 between the Santa Monica Freeway and the Ventura Freeway (that’s I-10 and US 101 to those of you who don’t know what real freeways are) to add an HOV lane. In doing this, I am treated again to the failure of Caltrans to plan properly.
A number of years ago, the 405 southbound was widened to add an HOV lane between the Ventura Freeway and Wilshire Blvd southbound. There was also major construction to rebuild the Ventura/San Diego Interchange. Back then, they knew that eventually the NB HOV lane would be added. But did they plan ahead? Did they think about positioning the new sound and retaining walls so the wouldn’t have to be torn down in the future? No.
They were building new retaining walls. There was no reason not to anticipate the widening, as the hills involved were already owned by Caltrans.
This isn’t the only example. There have been similar problems with median construction on the Garden Grove as well as the 605. I’m sure those of you living in the other Bay area could come up with loads of examples regarding construction on the Bayshore.
Planning ahead actually saves the state money in the long run. It is this idiotic short term planning that is one reason for our financial problems.
[He carefully climbs off the soapbox. He picks it up, and walks offstage.]
