Daily Archives: September 7, 2012

Construction and Closures Continue on I-5 Freeway This Coming Week

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55-Hour Closure of Northbound I-5 Olive Avenue off-ramp 

 Caltrans is contructing a carpool lane on the Golden State Freeway  (I-5) between the Ventura Freeway (SR-134) and Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank.

As part of the improvements, crews will be building a retaining wall on the northbound I-5 between Verdugo Avenue and Angelino Avenue as well as widening the northbound I-5 Olive Avenue off-ramp. This work will require the closure of the existing northbound I-5 Olive Avenue off-ramp to build a new temporary off-ramp during a 55-hour ramp closure.

Friday night, September 14, through Monday morning, September 17,  10 p.m. to 5 a.m.  (55-hour Closure)

Caltrans will make every effort to minimize any inconvenience to you. You may hear construction noise, but it will not exceed levels allowed by state and federal regulations

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the following lanes and ramps of the Golden State Freeway (I-5) as part of a $121 million improvement project to construct High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5 between SR-170 to Buena Vista Street. Closures are subject to change.  Detours will be signed.

Golden State Freeway (I-5) Closures

Saturday September 8 through Friday September 14, 2012

▪   Southbound I-5 Roscoe Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME:  7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and 12
p.m. on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Roscoe Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME:  7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Roscoe Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME:  7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and12
p.m. on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and Sunday
September 9th)

▪   Northbound I-5 from Penrose Street to Sheldon Street Laurel Canyon
Boulevard
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Three lanes: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Penrose Street Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Tuxford Street Eastbound and Westbound
On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Tuxford Street Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September    9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th) and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Penrose Street Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Penrose Street Northbound and Southbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.  (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard Eastbound and
Westbound
Off and On Ramps
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Brandford Street Eastbound and Westbound On Ramps
TIME: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and 10 a.m.
on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard Eastbound and
Westbound
Off and On Ramps
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 8th and
Sunday September 9th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Hollywood Way Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
Time: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and 12
p.m. on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Buena Vista Street Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
Time: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and 10
a.m. on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Hollywood Way Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramps
Time: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. on Saturday September 8th and 9 a.m.
on Sunday September 9th)

▪   Northbound I-5 from Buena Vista to Penrose Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Three lanes: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 from Buena Vista Street to Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon
Boulevard
TIME: Up to Two Lane: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Sunday September
9th)
Three lanes: 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Penrose St to Hollywood Way
TIME: Up to Three lanes: 10 p.m.  To 5 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Penrose
Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 10p.m. To 5 a.m.
Three lanes: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Buena
Vista Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 8 p.m. To 6a.m.(Until 10 a.m. on Sunday September
9th)
Three lanes: 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.

About the Project

Caltrans is building an HOV lane in each direction of I-5 between SR-170
and north of Buena Vista Street in Burbank.

Closures for I-5 HOV Improvement Project (Magnolia Blvd. to SR-134)

San Fernando Valley – The California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) will close the following lanes, ramps, and connectors of the
Golden State Freeway (I-5) and the Ventura Freeway (SR-134) as part of a
$57.8 million improvement project to construct High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV
or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5 between SR-134 and Magnolia
Boulevard. Closures are subject to change. Detours will be signed.

Golden State Freeway (I-5) Closures
Tuesday September 11 through Tuesday September 18, 2012

▪   Northbound I-5 Connector to Eastbound SR-134
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. on Saturday September 15th
and 9 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Connector to Eastbound SR-134
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)

▪   Westbound SR-134 Connector to Northbound I-5
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)

▪   Westbound SR-134 Northbound and Southbound San Fernando Road On
Ramp
TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. on Saturday September 15th
and 9 a.m. on Sunday             September 16th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 15th
and Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 15th
and Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramps
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 15th and
12 p.m. on Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Western Avenue Westbound and Eastbound Off-Ramps
TIME 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Saturday September 15th and
12 p.m. on Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo
Avenue Off Ramp
TIME: 9p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 15th  and
10 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo
Avenue Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 15th
and Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo
Avenue On Ramp
TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  (Until 10 a.m. on Saturday September 15th
and 11 p.m. on Sunday September 16th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo
Avenue On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.(Until 12p.m. on Saturday September 15th and
Sunday September 16th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Alameda Avenue Off and On
Ramp
Time: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 15th
and Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Alameda Avenue Off and On
Ramp
Time: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday September 15th
and Sunday September 16th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Burbank Boulevard On Ramp
Time: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday September 15th and
10 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)

·       Northbound I-5  Westbound Colorado Boulevard On Ramp
Time: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Sunday September 16th)

▪   Northbound I-5 from Colorado Boulevard to SR-134
TIME: Up to three lanes – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Four lanes- 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 from SR-134 to Burbank Boulevard

TIME: Up to two lanes – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Three lanes- 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Burbank Boulevard to SR-134
TIME: Up to two lanes – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Three lanes –2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

About the Project

This project is building a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each
direction along the Golden State Freeway (I-5) between the Ventura Freeway
(SR-134) and Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, a total distance of 5.4 miles
(2.7 miles in each direction). It is also constructing sound walls and
retaining walls.

Assemblyman Gotto Has Three Bills Signed into Law By Governor Brown

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Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s Stadium Violence Prevention Bill

Next time you find yourself at a football game, with a front row seat to a brawl in the stands between two rowdy fans, you’ll be able to more quickly and less conspicuously summon stadium security.  Assembly Bill 2464, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, was signed into law today by Governor Brown.

The Act will require major-league sports stadiums in California to clearly post the numbers fans can use to call or text-message stadium security, both inside and outside the venues. Most stadiums verbally announce the contact information for stadium security at the beginning of the game, but many fans don’t remember this number several innings later and in the midst of an emotionally charged altercation mere steps away.  Now fans don’t have to memorize this number – it will be a mainstay at all professional sports stadiums and arenas in the state.

Posting these signs will enable incidents to be resolved more quickly, before a victim is seriously injured. In fact, several of the more high-profile beatings lasted over a span of several minutes, during which frantic fans dialed 911. In those instances, it is stadium security (from within the stadium) and not the police (coming from outside the stadium) who is best equipped to quickly respond and prevent an injury from becoming more serious.

The signs mandated by AB 2464 will also serve as a reminder to would-be perpetrators that they will be caught, hopefully adding an ounce of prevention to this modest cure. “It has become apparent that we need to act to keep the action at professional games on the field and out of the stands,” said Gatto, “AB 2464 is a simple, common-sense, and preventative solution.”

Mike Gatto’s Bill to Protect Senior Citizens Signed into Law

AB 1624, an important measure to protect senior citizens and others from having their bank accounts drained, was signed into law today by Governor Brown.

“The signing of AB 1624 ensures that senior citizens, the disabled, and others who entrust caregivers and family members with their finances will not find themselves to be penniless victims of unscrupulous actors,” commented Gatto. “By clarifying that funds in bank accounts with more than one signer belong to the person who contributes them, we will protect seniors and anyone who is in a non-traditional relationship.”

The bill was necessary after a divided California Court of Appeal stunned legal pundits when it held that whoever withdraws money first from a bank account becomes the owner of the funds.  That decision, in Lee v. Yang (2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 481, was widely panned by the Conference of California Bar Associations and senior advocates like the California AARP as a license to drain an unsuspecting senior citizen’s bank account.

“I am grateful that Governor Brown has joined me to reverse this ruling that left thousands of Californians financially exposed,” said Gatto. “The law should not protect those who use positions of trust to legally victimize vulnerable Californians.”

Bill to Allow Motorists to Show Proof of Auto Insurance on Their Smartphones Signed into Law

Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s Assembly Bill 1708 was also signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today. The measure now gives California drivers the option to present their proof of auto insurance in electronic form, such as on a smartphone or other personal electronic device.

“The signing of AB 1708 is a real win-win for consumers and auto insurance providers,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “This legislation falls into the category of making people’s lives easier by embracing technology in order to eliminate one of life’s small hassles, and it brings laws dealing with possessing and presenting proof of auto insurance into the electronic age.”

Under the measure, auto insurance providers would be authorized to issue the state-required proof of insurance documentation in electronic form, if requested by a consumer. The bill also clarifies to law enforcement officials that the electronic version of this insurance document is equivalent to the paper form and acceptable for presentation during a traffic stop or after an accident.

“It only makes sense for the state where the iPad was designed to remain on the technological forefront,” continued Gatto. “As lawmakers, we should always be on the lookout for ways to help state law evolve with technology in a way that allows for more efficiency in the way business is transacted in California.

Concluded Gatto, “you see the flashing lights. You get pulled over. You nervously start fumbling for that tiny proof of insurance paper the company sent you last month. You find items in your glove compartment from the last stone age, but no paper…and now you will be cited for one more thing- not having your proof of insurance. No more. Now you will be able to prove you’re insured by simply pulling out your smartphone.”

AB 1708 is one of three bills signed into law Friday authored by Assemblyman Gatto.

Burbank Eagle Scout Candidate Takes on Tamarisk Invasion

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Most visitors to the East Fork of the San Gabriel River enjoy fishing, hiking, and nature photography, only concerned with piles of trash left by careless visitors.  However, there is a more invasive visitor, aggressively sucking up water resources, contributing to fire danger, and squeezing out native plants.  Enter the Tamarisk, an alien shrubby tree disrupting the San Gabriel River Watershed ecosystem.

Eagle Scout candidate Griffin Armstorff, from Boy Scout Troop 209 in Burbank, believes the Tamarisk can be brought under control.  Partnering with the US Forest Service and the Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps, Armstorff is preparing an assault on the Tamarisk, intending to eradicate the shrub from the area near Heaton Flat on the East Fork of the San Gabriel River.

Why is this important?  The Tamarisk, native to the Middle East, was brought to the United States around 100 years ago as an ornamental shrub.  A mature plant with deep roots may suck up to 300 gallons of water each day, potentially denying moisture to native plants.  The Tamarisk adds little value to wildlife, as the shrub contains few nutrients.  In addition, the Tamarisk actually limits plant competition by depositing salt into the surrounding soil, preventing other native plants from taking root.

Armstorff and a large group of fellow scouts are planning a project to attack the Tamerisk from September 28th till the 30th.  The scouts will take on three separate assignments, including digging out seedlings, destroying Tamarisk seeds, and digging out mature plants.

Tom Walsh, a representative with the Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps (FRVC), is happy to receive help from Armstorff and his volunteers.  “The Tamarisk is a definite danger to the ecosystem of the San Gabriel Watershed” Walsh advised.

To mobilize the troops and get them into action in the East Fork, Armstorff needs help.  The project will require tools, such as pruners, clippers, trowels, and loppers.  The project will also need food to sustain activities for 50 scouts during the 3 day period, coming to a grand total budget of $1323.

Armstorff is getting some additional help from local celebrities, including Jack Johnson, a well-known musician.  Johnson has pledged to meet all donations of $25 or less with the same amount, which should help the scouts meet their goal.

You can help the scouts take on the Tamarisk by donating at their project website.

Armstorff is also a member of the John Burroughs High School Water Polo Team, as well as performing as a trombonist in the school band.

Learn more about the Tamarisk and other alien plant invasions within the Angeles National Forest at the USDA website.

Gas Main Breaks Shuts Down Burbank Intersection for Hours

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Updated 9/7 at 3:30pm

Burbank Fire Fighters were called to the intersection of Main Street and Riverside Drive Thursday afternoon by crews from the Southern California Gas Company.   While making repairs in the area,  workers from an independent construction company had struck a charged gas line. Crews from the Gas Company were dispatched to repair the damage and called the fire department to stand by while repairs were made.

Burbank Firefighters standby with a protection lines and protective safety gear while So. California Gas Company employees make emergency repairs to damaged gas lines at Riverside Drive and Main Street. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Firefighters closed off streets in the area until Burbank Police Officers could arrive to assist. The Gas Company estimated a lengthy street closure, until repairs could be made. Detour signs were finally put in place and all southbound Main Street traffic was diverted, along with some lanes along Riverside Drive.

Burbank Engine 15 finally cleared the emergency several hours later.  The streets remained closed until the Gas Company finished the project.

People attempting to get to Pickwick and Viva’s had to come from the west, in order to get to their destinations.