Recently- Universal and Caltrans bulldozed their will onto the residents of the Historic Cahuenga Pass area of Hollywood demanding the closure of the Barham Exit Ramp off Route 101 to accommodate even more global guests with giant new attractions and parking structures.
Universal is barking about how this foolish and hasty plan will alleviate the already insane traffic problem in the area (Which is impossible) with this relief ramp closed, and that it will create many jobs.
The job factor selling angle they are using isn't really all that appealing you really cannot exist in this region without a job.
Aside from the fact that the jobs Universal will likely be offering will be low paying exploitative jobs.
Universal deliberately mislabeled the ramp (Which no one refers to as such) as the "Bennett Off ramp" when they were forcing this agenda onto the area.
Many people thought little of it as there really is no "Bennett ramp" and many assumed it was located somewhere else.
This tiny already strained area has the 101 running through it,
Barham Blvd, ending where it hits Cahuenga, peppered with a several trafic signals.
Where Barham ends, you have NO CHOICE but to either go left toward the Hollywood Bowl & the Highland mess, Or take a right where 75% of the cars that come over Barham do so to get on the Barham freeway on ramp.
Often having to slug your way through wide-eyed,Hollywood headed tourists exiting Universal.
The thousands of vehicles that pass over with the specific intent of entering the 101 freeway from Barham will now have to go right or left for miles in either direction to get to an on ramp for the 101 north or south.
A 5 year old child would recognize this as a poorly thought notion with no good intended for those that it will truly impact.
Namely- The inhabitants of the area.
(One a side note- I'd like to point out that Cahuenga & Barham is a very transitional area.
Several thousand motorists pass through here hourly.
Very few want to "Stay" Or "Hang out" as it is not very inviting if you don't live here.
All the transient motorists want is to get out of or through the area as it is a severe bottle neck. The Barham bridge was claimed by the Historical society and cannot be touched or altered in any way)
There isn't one merchant in this small area that doesn't feel the impending doom that simple logic dictates.
The way Universal originally had their exits was: A north bound on ramp at the mouth of Universal,or exit to Cahuenga and go left or right to the Lankershim south bound ramp, or up to the Barham ramp.
Bottom line Universal has always dumped out their financially drained patrons into the area, many often careless, distracted causing numerous accidents over the years being still in "Fun Park mode" wanting to just get to the fastest way to the freeway driving impatiently and recklessly to get away from the area.
In all the years of residing in this area, If there is a speck of a problem on the 101 or a backup, Cahuenga FLOODS with exiting motorists who think for some reason that it will be a better bet to bail on the 101 and hit Cahuenga.
Trouble is, Everyone tends to have the same idea at the same time.
So picture even a slight or small problem on the 101 at about 6:30pm.
On a night where there is a Hollywood Bowl taking place........
Cahuenga backs up well into Studio City west of Vineland.
Barham can back up back past Warner Brothers to Riverside Drive.
If you live in this area, you know that what can sometimes be a 3 minute ride can also turn into the better part of an hour or more.
Nightmarish!
Most Angelinos know what it's like to be literally yards from your home yet......Your buried in cars.
And let us not forget to mention the hindrance of emergency vehicles that already have limited access to the residences in the hills.
So friends...........
In conclusion- This entire scheme of Caltrans & Universal is one of the worst ideas and one of the biggest bugled greedy grabs in the history of Los Angeles period.
For it to be allowed is a complete and utter abomination.
Many feel all is lost already but perhaps a glimmer of justice may shine through all the corruption and money and good may prevail.
Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Court date is June 18th 2015
Universal is barking about how this foolish and hasty plan will alleviate the already insane traffic problem in the area (Which is impossible) with this relief ramp closed, and that it will create many jobs.
The job factor selling angle they are using isn't really all that appealing you really cannot exist in this region without a job.
Aside from the fact that the jobs Universal will likely be offering will be low paying exploitative jobs.
Universal deliberately mislabeled the ramp (Which no one refers to as such) as the "Bennett Off ramp" when they were forcing this agenda onto the area.
Many people thought little of it as there really is no "Bennett ramp" and many assumed it was located somewhere else.
This tiny already strained area has the 101 running through it,
Barham Blvd, ending where it hits Cahuenga, peppered with a several trafic signals.
Where Barham ends, you have NO CHOICE but to either go left toward the Hollywood Bowl & the Highland mess, Or take a right where 75% of the cars that come over Barham do so to get on the Barham freeway on ramp.
Often having to slug your way through wide-eyed,Hollywood headed tourists exiting Universal.
The thousands of vehicles that pass over with the specific intent of entering the 101 freeway from Barham will now have to go right or left for miles in either direction to get to an on ramp for the 101 north or south.
A 5 year old child would recognize this as a poorly thought notion with no good intended for those that it will truly impact.
Namely- The inhabitants of the area.
(One a side note- I'd like to point out that Cahuenga & Barham is a very transitional area.
Several thousand motorists pass through here hourly.
Very few want to "Stay" Or "Hang out" as it is not very inviting if you don't live here.
All the transient motorists want is to get out of or through the area as it is a severe bottle neck. The Barham bridge was claimed by the Historical society and cannot be touched or altered in any way)
There isn't one merchant in this small area that doesn't feel the impending doom that simple logic dictates.
The way Universal originally had their exits was: A north bound on ramp at the mouth of Universal,or exit to Cahuenga and go left or right to the Lankershim south bound ramp, or up to the Barham ramp.
Bottom line Universal has always dumped out their financially drained patrons into the area, many often careless, distracted causing numerous accidents over the years being still in "Fun Park mode" wanting to just get to the fastest way to the freeway driving impatiently and recklessly to get away from the area.
In all the years of residing in this area, If there is a speck of a problem on the 101 or a backup, Cahuenga FLOODS with exiting motorists who think for some reason that it will be a better bet to bail on the 101 and hit Cahuenga.
Trouble is, Everyone tends to have the same idea at the same time.
So picture even a slight or small problem on the 101 at about 6:30pm.
On a night where there is a Hollywood Bowl taking place........
Cahuenga backs up well into Studio City west of Vineland.
Barham can back up back past Warner Brothers to Riverside Drive.
If you live in this area, you know that what can sometimes be a 3 minute ride can also turn into the better part of an hour or more.
Nightmarish!
Most Angelinos know what it's like to be literally yards from your home yet......Your buried in cars.
And let us not forget to mention the hindrance of emergency vehicles that already have limited access to the residences in the hills.
So friends...........
In conclusion- This entire scheme of Caltrans & Universal is one of the worst ideas and one of the biggest bugled greedy grabs in the history of Los Angeles period.
For it to be allowed is a complete and utter abomination.
Many feel all is lost already but perhaps a glimmer of justice may shine through all the corruption and money and good may prevail.
Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Court date is June 18th 2015
