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Poll: Should the Arroyo Seco Parkway Speed Limit be Lowered?

Caltrans is proposing to drop the speed limit from 55 mph to 45. Thoughts?

Patch readers have long discussed how to

"Why don't we reduce the speed limit to 45?" Gloria Guerin commented on Patch last September following the tragic fatality of  who burned to death in a vehicle that was rear-ended on the Arroyo Seco Parkway. 

Caltrans seems to be listening. 

As a result , Caltrans has announced a plan to lower the speed limit of the 8-mile stretch from Pasadena to the Interstate-5 interchange from 55 mph to 45, according to ABC

Patch Asks: What do you think? Would lowering the speed limit lesson rush hour traffic and prevent accidents? What do you feel is the proper solution? 

Ron Rosen August 9, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Gayle: Concerning your comment below: I was speaking of freeways in general, not the 110. 75 is not the normal flow on the 110. But still, the rule applies: If you're in the fast lane and people are passing you on the right, you don't belong in that lane.
David D August 9, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Totally agree Sam...She is part of the problem for sure but will never admit that....
David D August 10, 2012 at 12:26 am
Only one paragraph you cant pontificate more? Nice to know racial profiling is alive and well with the grandma set...good for you I hope you are instilling your ignorance to your children...be proud.
Martin Chan August 10, 2012 at 12:48 am
I am a proud Asian American living in Arcadia for the past ten years. I have been an active Patch reader across multiple publications. I must say Gayle you totally offended me in your comments and in your rationale for making those comments. This is the type of ignorance (and yes its racism) my family has had to deal with our whole lives and one of the reasons we moved from Miami to Southern California. You might not see this as racism but i can tell you as a person offended by your remarks it is and incredibly insensitive. You keep pushing how generous you are to the community but i am sorry your words have tainted that for me. I have read several of your posts and see you as a typical online bully. I have seen you post to others about their behaviour but yours is just as bad. I just hope you are not around our youth. David D you are just plain rude and in being as such cannot make your point effectively. take the high road against this ignorance. I will not partake in any of the back and forth nonsense which I am sure you will try to engage me on. I come to Patch to enjoy reading about our local news and events. I am surprised and disappointed that the Patch allows this type of correspondence to take palce. I will write letters to Nathan and who ever else I can find about how offended I have been.
Marvion August 10, 2012 at 03:05 am
Hmm, off topic eh? How about they put bulb outs in the 3 lane near 110 ramps, remove the median, and make special car pool passing lanes with a 35 mph limit. That would reduce your highway mpg to maybe a tad better than back in 1940. Trafficamoron sing along ‘710 gal gas line//do’n 1-to-110 for speeding time//lead left footer crime,, er rhyme.. more tire spikes ↓↓↓↓↑↑ ↑↑↓↓↓↓↑↑ ↑↑
Revvell August 10, 2012 at 09:12 am
So, driving a Prius and being sanctimonious go hand-in-hand? I didn't know that. What should we be driving in your opinion? (And we of course, all know what opinions are the same as, don't we?)
Revvell August 10, 2012 at 09:17 am
Yep! In other countries the #1 lane is called the passing lane, not the fast lane. (Pretty sure it's called that here as well.) You use it to pass only, then you move to the right. It's very simple and if everyone here did it (of course, CHP would have to enforce it) .... life on the fwy. would be so much simpler.
Revvell August 10, 2012 at 09:18 am
In actuality, you don't ever belong in that lane unless you are passing.
Sheepdog August 10, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Typical response when attention is called to bigotry; "I have friends and family of XYZ descent, so I can't be a bigot." Re-read your posts and then tell us again what a humanitarian you are. A bigot is a bigot, regardless of where you've volunteered.
DonvitoCorleoneFraDon August 10, 2012 at 03:15 pm
Sorry to say but what gayle states is fact!!!!!!yes through out that race card but it's a fact try driving through Monterey park and Arcadia I do every day and I fear for my life you see more accidents people not signaling not stopping let alone looking and 99.9 percent of these people are of Asian decent ,the San gabriel valley is a very scary place to drive through but one good thing is there are many wonderful places to eat !!!!
Jones Foyer August 10, 2012 at 03:29 pm
Guys, if you want the data, go get it. I'm not sure why race has come into this so heavily, it isn't the issue at all.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809956.PDF Additionally, motor vehicle death rates by race/ethnicity numbers are available. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6001a10.htm
Jones Foyer August 10, 2012 at 03:34 pm
"Turns out, Asian Americans are the least likely to die in a motor vehicle related fatality. Upon further inspection, it is shown that a large bulk of fatalities involving API are non-driver deaths; i.e pedestrians and passengers.
When you include age-adjusted rates and especially deaths per billion miles traveled, the Asian rate is even lower. The verdict? You are much less likely to die around Asian drivers (passenger or pedestrian) than whites, blacks, or Hispanics. An Asian driver is much less likely to get into, or cause, a traffic accident. It is also shown that API are less likely to drink while driving, and are more likely to be properly restrained. The reason why this data is important is because it sheds light on a harmful stereotype. The notion that Asians are bad drivers predisposes Asian drivers to unfair treatment on the road, which is a major flashpoint and source of conflict between individuals. It also shows how popular opinion and media representations can warp the public's perception of the truth so drastically that the absolute best drivers are perceived as the worst. Keep driving safe."
detrich August 10, 2012 at 06:39 pm
freeways bring noise, pollution, litter, and above all- CRIME... cities in close proximity to the freeway have MORE crime statistically- simply because it makes for an easier get-away for criminals. freeway proximity allows easier travel into adjacent communities for them to commit burglary, theft, or robbery, and then hop on the freeway and disappear into oblivion... for this reason, no one wants metro rail tracks or freeways cutting through their own backyard or neighborhood.
although we understand that traffic congestion is a shared, public problem, we need to find solutions that do not destroy the sanctity of peaceful, quiet residential neighborhoods. it's just the decent & the right thing to do. i wouldn't want a freeway to ruin someone else's home or neighborhood either. and, i would try to understand and empathize with those communities situations before making blanket, hostile comments about the positions of those cities trying to protect the welfare & health of their residents. plus, there are no guarantees that the 710 would miraculous "cure" all freeway congestion the North/ South Pasadena traffic.
detrich August 10, 2012 at 06:42 pm
http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_21260380/pasadena-residents-express-strong-opposition-710-plan
Ron Rosen August 10, 2012 at 10:40 pm
I agree that fatalities is not the only measure of bad drivers. When I see a car stopped at a green light, or other strange moves, I wonder.
Pasadena Adjacent August 11, 2012 at 02:47 pm
I'm pleased to see the change in speed limit. Try it, patrol it, and if it appears to improve conditions, keep it. And lets continue with visual improvements on the Arroyo Parkway. I remember a few years back seeing designs of the future parkway's signage that evoked arroyo culture. Craftsmen type face, sycamore lief on a brown ground. What ever happened with that? I've downloaded into the photo section of this article an early post card of the parkway. Enjoy
BTW: No on the 710 extension in any of our communities....from one who lives in Highland Park
alan haskvitz August 12, 2012 at 03:16 pm
It is illegal for vehicles over 6000 pounds to be on this freeway. That MUST be enforced. Hummer H2, Ford Excursions, large Cadillac and Mercury SUVs are all over that limit. They are too heavy and the police need to ticket them.
Otis August 12, 2012 at 04:26 pm
Sam, is your middle name "Penquin"? Regardless, I avoid So. Pas. always have and always will, except when I have to take your popo laden' service streets to get to the 710. When I do, I don't stop at any local business'.
Diana Swartz (Editor) August 13, 2012 at 08:13 am
Patch editors do not tolerate racist statements or other offensive generalizations from contributors. Gayle and Bill C., you are in violation of the Patch Terms of Use you agreed to when creating your accounts. Please stay on topic or your accounts will be suspended. http://monrovia.patch.com/terms
Bill C. August 13, 2012 at 10:35 am
There are generalizations all over this topic and nothing I said was even close to racist but thanks for your concern.
David D August 15, 2012 at 05:37 pm
NICE!! Thank you Diana for recognizing the ignorant racist rants of Gayle!!! So nice we can all see her true colors..I admire the stance Patch took and how quickly. No place for that kind of garbage! Unfortunatley it still wont change her ignorance she will make up a thousand excuses for sure. but thank you...
Sam Burgess August 15, 2012 at 06:22 pm
I'm not sure who is responsible for removing Gayle (Diana?) but I do thank you.
While I enjoy reading varying opinions on the many subjects Patch posts, I particularily enjoy those who disagree with me as it makes me further evaluate my position/belief. Where there is no enjoy, only offense, is the ignorant, hateful, sexist rants of people such as Gayle. Sadly, Gayle will take these and other criticisms as a badge of honor and only find a way to take over other blogs with her particular brand of hate.
David D August 15, 2012 at 06:36 pm
Said well Sam said well..
Bill C. August 15, 2012 at 07:23 pm
Maybe Diana Swartz could explain to me why most post was one that was racist or generalized and these didn't.. I in fact made it clear I thought driving was a generational problem and complimented Asians as well. Besides the two posts below I see where Detrich generalized big time with these words...
"yes... but, you get these oblivious soccer moms, grandma/ grandpas, and otherwise moronic drivers who just "sit and cruise" in the fast lane- sipping their coffee, texting on their phones, or talking to their passengers- all the while traffic is backing up behind them". How can you tell someone is any of those he described. Playing pretty loose with what you deem to be appropriate and not so appropriate if you ask me Miss Swartz. DonvitoCorleoneFraDon 11:15 am on Friday, August 10, 2012 Sorry to say but what gayle states is fact!!!!!!yes through out that race card but it's a fact try driving through Monterey park and Arcadia I do every day and I fear for my life you see more accidents people not signaling not stopping let alone looking and 99.9 percent of these people are of Asian decent ,the San gabriel valley is a very scary place to drive through but one good thing is there are many wonderful places to eat !!!! Michael Brand 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012 >The notion that Asians are bad drivers Not bad, slow drivers. It appears from the data when driving 15MPH you don't kill people when hitting them.
navigio August 15, 2012 at 08:46 pm
Turn it into a bike path.
Ivan G August 15, 2012 at 09:26 pm
The speed limit was 55 even before the road was improved. What has happened to warrant lowering the limit?
Steve Gerow August 16, 2012 at 12:55 am
Dan Crandell,
I do not believe your statements are quite accurate. What is a freeway but a "not toll road"? See wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arroyo_Seco_Parkway It has often been referred to as the nation's first freeway. It was renamed "Pasadena Freeway" in 1954. I went on many school excursions on it back in the '50s and '60s. Trucks always had to exit at Figueroa when coming up from LA. As for the speed limit - 45 mph in a 1940 Ford with 3" wide bias-ply tires is probably comparable to 65 in a Prius with low profile modern tires. I'm with Steve McCarthy in seeing this as revenue generation cloaked in would-be social engineering.
CV Gal August 25, 2012 at 05:11 pm
Wow, the comments were hard to get through. So much anger here. Understand the truth. Metro and Caltrans NEVER do anything for the safety or concern of the public. While I agee with it, changing the name to Parkway and lowering the speed limit were not for you. It is for them. There are "freeway" regulations they are trying to get around in doing so. And tolling is part of the plan. They outlined this in an ERNC meeting back in 2009. I was there. As for the 710? This project will unleash fury like you have never seen. I have done the research; I know. No matter what they say, it is being designed as a goods corridor, being bundled with the I-710 expansion and the High Desert Corridor. Traffic volumes and resulting toll revenue is expected to be extremely high from opening day forward. Read the last part of this article from 2011, Transportation from the Ports. http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/metro-transportation-projects-2011/
It is one of many that show their true colors. Metro is projecting in InfraConsult's report a traffic volume of 190,000 vehicles per day. Now, imagine this spilling onto the 210 east and west? ALL the northeast cities should be concerned. It sure is for me in La Crescenta. South Pasadena is one of the many victims in this scenario, not the villain here.
Mark Charles October 24, 2012 at 08:44 pm
True true. The new barrier wall make for blind corners even at the posted speed limit.
alan haskvitz January 17, 2013 at 03:27 pm
THE LAW STATES THAT NO VEHICLE THAT WEIGHS OVER 6000 POUNDS CAN TAKE THAT FREEWAY. That means that large SUVs, such as Hummer H2s, Lincoln Navigators, Ford Excursions, most Cadillac Escalades, and others should be ticketed if they are caught on this road. ENFORCE THIS LAW

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