Plan aims to make Arroyo Seco Parkway safer

MONTECITO HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- If you're driving 55 mph on the Arroyo Seco Parkway, and you exit at Avenue 43, the speed limit suddenly plummets to 5 mph. A few seconds after exiting, you come upon a stop sign.

These are the hazards of driving on a freeway built in 1940, when traffic was far less intense.

"We've seen too many people literally die at this intersection, which is the most dangerous on the freeway," said Jack Fenn, who has lived in Montecito Heights for more than 30 years.

Fenn added that the exit and onramp at Avenue 43 are particularly problematic, but several other abrupt exits and abbreviated onramps along the Arroyo Seco Parkway can be challenging for even the most experienced drivers.

"The vehicles are larger and it's much more dangerous," said Clare Marter-Kenyon, who has had her share of close calls over the years.

"You have to exit them at a very slow rate and people are not used to that on Los Angeles freeways," Marter-Kenyon said.

The pair have launched an online campaign in support of a plan that they say could fix the 110 Freeway. They want Caltrans to reserve the right lanes on both sides of the freeway exclusively for drivers exiting or entering the parkway. The dedicated lanes would run from Orange Grove Avenue to Avenue 43.

Fenn and Marter-Kenyon say the plan would result in fewer crashes and would make it easier for emergency vehicles to reach accidents.

"We think it's high time that something got done," Fenn said.

Caltrans declined to comment, but has previously said it is exploring the possibility of creating a solution for this issue and may issue a report in the coming months.