Caltrans

BURBANK — The California Department of Transportation is slated to open the Hollywood Way-Alameda Avenue bridge Sept. 8 as crews move ahead with construction of the new Hollywood Way onramp to the westbound Ventura (134) Freeway. As part of the next phase of construction, the Pass Avenue bridge will be closed beginning Sept. 9. Work on the three-year project is expected to end next summer, with a series of detours planned to assist pedestrians and drivers, Caltrans spokesman Patrick Chandler said.

BURBANK — Monday, Caltrans officials closed a portion of Hollywood Way as part of their continued push toward completing a $47-million freeway project that will add a westbound onramp to the Ventura (134) Freeway. Hollywood Way will be closed until October between Riverside Drive and Alameda Avenue in order to lengthen a bridge to accommodate the new onramp, Senior Planner David Kriske said. As crews closed one stretch they reopened another, allowing westbound traffic to flow on Alameda Avenue, Kriske said.

BURBANK — Monday, Caltrans officials closed a portion of Hollywood Way as part of their continued push toward completing a $47-million freeway project that will add a westbound onramp to the Ventura (134) Freeway. Hollywood Way will be closed until October between Riverside Drive and Alameda Avenue in order to lengthen a bridge to accommodate the new onramp, Senior Planner David Kriske said. As crews closed one stretch they reopened another, allowing westbound traffic to flow on Alameda Avenue, Kriske said.

The City Council approved a resolution to install three relocated water transmission lines as part of the State Route 134 Ramp Project. ? Construction on the lines exceeded the original cost by $220,600. Greg Herman, assistant community development director, said the added cost is ?legitimate? and was approved by Caltrans. The city will front the money and expects to be reimbursed by Caltrans. ? ? The council approved a rental agreement allowing the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank to sublease a portion of its facility to a Head Start Program.

BURBANK ? A design study is in the works to install a new freeway interchange at Empire Avenue as part of a larger plan to add a carpool lane to the Golden State (5) Freeway, between the Ventura (134) and Hollywood (170) freeways. The study would determine how to relocate city utilities like underground sewer lines and storm drains to make way for a new interchange, said David Kriske, a senior planner for the city. An expanded Empire Avenue interchange would provide on ramps and off ramps for both northbound and southbound traffic, Kriske said.

Mayor Jef Vander Borght wants state to quicken pace of underpass project at San Fernando Boulevard and Buena Vista Street crossing.MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- City officials and an area lawmaker are urging Caltrans to speed up construction of an underpass at the San Fernando Boulevard and Buena Vista Street railroad crossing following a fatal Jan. 6 Metrolink collision at the intersection. Mayor Jef Vander Borght called Assemblyman Dario Frommer following the collision at the crossing, which killed 76-year-old Glendale resident Maureen Osborn after a Metrolink train slammed into her car. "It can be done ahead of schedule," Vander Borght said.

FREEWAY RAMP PROJECT The City Council approved an amendment to an agreement with CalTrans in connection with the Ventura (134) Freeway westbound ramp project. WHAT IT MEANS The amended agreement will have the city picking up the cost of soil testing for property CalTrans will use for easements during construction of the new on-ramp from Hollywood Way. In exchange for that work CalTrans agreed to widen the south side of Alameda Avenue between Hollywood Way and the new on-ramp to create an additional lane allowing for a free flow of traffic onto the ramp.

Ben Godar City staff is moving ahead with a project to put up signs directing people to downtown Burbank, despite the hesitation of two councilmen to move ahead with the estimated $300,000 project. In a 3-2 vote, the City Council approved a measure directing staff to complete designs for about 120 signs and to initiate a bidding process. The council unanimously approved a measure to install two Caltrans signs along the Golden State (5) Freeway directing drivers to downtown Burbank.

Laura Sturza BURBANK -- Concerns that a city and Caltrans plan would divert traffic to residential streets surfaced at a public meeting about the proposed traffic-relief project. The city will be ready to curb runoff traffic with measures including installing speed humps to discourage diverting drivers, officials said. The Jan. 23 meeting addressed proposals to extend Empire Avenue beneath the railroad tracks to connect with San Fernando Boulevard and to relocate the southbound Golden State (5)

Laura Sturza MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- After 10 years of discussion between the city and Caltrans, Burbank drivers are closer to getting a major reprieve in congestion from Empire Avenue to other parts of the city. It started with a simple idea. "Wouldn't it be great if we could join San Fernando Boulevard with Empire Avenue?," said Greg Herrmann, the city's assistant community development director for transportation. The plan has three parts, which will be discussed at a public meeting next week.