Caltrans

Lolita Harper MAGNOLIA PARK DISTRICT -- After finally compromising with the Metropolitan Transit Authority on various aspects of the Chandler Boulevard bikeway project, Burbank city officials will complete final design plans next month and submit them to the California Department of Transportation for the go ahead on the project, officials said. Caltrans will review the project to make sure the city is using its grant funds correctly and adhering to their landscaping agreement with the MTA, said Greg Herrmann, Burbank assistant community development director.

Lolita Harper MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Art Johnson, 76, was headed toward the warmth of his home recently with two bags of food given to him during a visit with a friend. As Johnson stepped off the curb at Alameda Avenue and started to cross the entrance to the 134 (Ventura) Freeway on Nov. 27, night had just fallen and the streetlights had come on. Except for one. The light that normally illuminates the high-traffic onramp was dark, and even though the still active landscaper said he looked both ways -- twice -- before stepping into the crosswalk, he was struck by a car and knocked to the ground.

Jenna Bordelon BURBANK -- Being able to speak in normal tones rather than having to shout to be heard will be a nice -- and long overdue -- change, neighbors of the Ventura (134) Freeway said. The state Transportation Commission voted to allocate $226 million to build soundwall barriers along California's freeways. Locally, the Ventura and Golden State (5) freeways will be affected. Construction will begin in 2002 and take about a year, Caltrans officials said.

Amber Willard MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Burbank residents and commuters are invited to join California Department of Transportation officials today to discuss ways of improving traffic flow along the Ventura (134) Freeway. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, 3333 W. Oak St. Caltrans is considering a proposal to build a new onramp on the 134 Freeway at Alameda Avenue and Hollywood Way and realigning the existing offramp.