July Newsbites For BAHA

***BAHA's Traffic Committee***

This issue of Newsbites is devoted to informing you of just a few of the different areas of concern that the committee is working on.  From time to time in future issues of Newsbites, we will highlight the work of some of our other committees.  These efforts are not always noticed by our members and the general community, so hopefully this will give you some idea of one particular function of BAHA.

The Traffic Committee works behind the scenes to try and solve problems that exist on our streets, primarily on Roscomare Road.  The current Chairperson of this Committee is Patricia Templeton and she works very hard to get changes made.  However, nothing gets done unless the City is willing to make changes.  But we keep trying. 

Red curb at the top of Roscomare Road.  For safety reasons, BAHA has requested the City extend the no stopping red curb on Roscomare Road south from Mulholland Drive.  Cars parked in this area close to Mulholland Drive create visibility issues for oncoming traffic and a dangerous situation.  We continue to follow-up with the City, and although they have assigned this issue a Service Request number, so far, they have not acted.

No parking signs on upper Roscomare Road.  The parking restriction signs on upper Roscomare Road, which are intended to restrict parking along blind curves, lack consistency. And many of the existing signs are covered by foliage or are so faded that they are unreadable.  BAHA has requested the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to add or replace signs so that it is clear where parking is legal.  LADOT has informed us that they will be conducting a survey of all the signs in the City to determine where action is needed.  We do not know when they will get to Roscomare Road, so BAHA volunteers have taken photos of all existing signs, and noted their location, and have sent this information to the City in the hopes that this will speed up action for Roscomare Road.

Roscomare Road street designation.   BAHA believes that there may be some traffic improvement benefits to our community if we can be successful in obtaining a change of street designation. Currently, Roscomare Road is designated as a Mountain/Hillside Collector Street, meaning that its purpose is to collect traffic from the local streets that feed into it and then route that traffic to Arterial Streets such as Sunset Blvd. and Mulholland Drive.  It is not intended to be used for cut-through traffic as it is being used currently.  BAHA believes that most of Roscomare Road does not qualify for Collector Street designation as it is not wide enough and is exploring the possibility of having Roscomare Road designated as a Local Street.  Also, a State map shows Roscomare Road as an Arterial Street and BAHA is working with LADOT to get this changed to conform with the City’s designation of a non-arterial Collector Street.

Dangerous bumpy road surfaces on Roscomare Road.   There are some very difficult and dangerous bumps in the road where Roscomare Road takes the big “hairpin” turn north of the school, and at several other locations on Roscomare.  BAHA has been pleading with the City, including our Councilman’s office, for more than three years to resolve this problem.  Although an investigation by the Bureau of Street Services two years ago determined that the state of the road was a “public safety hazard”, a resolution has been held up by the City while it tries to determine whether the trees need to be removed, or can simply have their roots pruned, and who is financially responsible for the work. Though very frustrating, we will continue to work with the City for a resolution.

Speed Feedback Signs on Roscomare.   The Speed Feedback signs are the digital signs on Roscomare that display a vehicle’s current speed, and work to remind speeding drivers to reduce their speed.  It took more than a year, but BAHA was able to get the City to repair the Speed Feedback Signs so that they work reliably.  BAHA recently obtained some data from these signs and up to 60% of drivers are traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit as they pass the southbound speed feedback sign.  BAHA has requested that the southbound sign be moved so that it is more visible to drivers, and LADOT tells us that they hope to find the funds in their budget to move the sign later this year.

Other traffic issues.   As noted above, these are just a few of the different areas of concern of the BAHA traffic committee.  Among the others that the Committee is working on is the traffic volume on Roscomare.  If anyone would have an interest in working with the Committee on some of these issues, please email us at [email protected].  We welcome your involvement. 

Dues Reminder ***   While BAHA continues to work with the City on many issues affecting our neighborhood such as noted above, the more members we have, the louder is our voice.  So, for those of you who have not yet renewed your membership in BAHA, and for those of you who have not yet joined BAHA, please consider doing so now.  It is so easy to do!  Just go to https://www.baha.la to pay your dues online.  Or, if you prefer, simply mail your check to BAHA, 2337 Roscomare Road, #2-228, Los Angeles, CA 90077.  The dues are suggested at $200 per year and the minimum is $175 per year.  If you have not yet become a member, please go to https://www.baha.la to find out more about our organization and what we do.  We hope you will then make a decision to support your neighborhood association.