Traffic On The Rise On The 405?

The golden rule shared among L.A commuters boils down to one simple thing.

Expect traffic. Always.

A recent article in the Daily 49er only reinforces the point, citing a possible freeway closure in the not-so-distant-future as a cause for major concern among Long Beach residents and students alike. A planned renovation of three major Southern California freeways, known officially as the West County Connectors project, will officially begin as early as next year, bringing with it an assured heavy dose of traffic. The project in question seeks to create direct connections into carpool lanes between Route 22, Interstate 405, and Interstate 605.

Unfortunately, with change comes a great deal of growing pains for residents in the nearby affected areas. In order for renovations to begin, closure of the northbound I-405 to westbound Route 22 connector (also known as the Seventh Street Bridge) must be completed. Many residents living near campus fear this might cause a heavier flow of traffic on their streets, since about a third of CSULB's campus community commutes on a daily basis from the O.C area (this includes teachers and students alike, we are a commuter school after all!).

CSULB officials as well as the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) hope to get the word out before construction begins, as well as discuss ways in which this traffic disaster in waiting can be averted if not eased ahead of time.

Just remember, expect traffic delays. Always.

For more on this article, feel free to visit http://www.daily49er.com/news/freeway_closure_a_cause_for_concern-1.1624509

Photos curtesy of http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/i-405_ca.html

Are Your Cars Safe in CSULB?

On an average morning, most students charge right into their respective parking locations with only one thought in mind.

Get to class on time!

We lock our doors and head off to class, never once thinking back on the prospect that said car we drove to school in might not be there when we return. According to a recent article in the Daily 49er, such a prospect is becoming more of a reality than most students are aware of. Within a 14-day period alone, five vehicle thefts have been reported on campus, with only three of the vehicles reported missing recovered since then. Two other vehicle theft attempts were also reported by campus police, one of which was thwarted by the owner of the car herself after she managed to catch the suspects in the act.

With an unusual high rate of vehicles suddenly going missing on campus, it brings up the question of just how secure our little campus really is from crimes such as these.

"I think we're fairly safe, we just have to make sure we don't leave anything expensive out in the open where someone might see it and want to break in." said Israel Valencia, a Sophomore Computer Science major.

Well, whatever the common opinion may be on the subject, one thing remains certain...

lock up your cars before you head out to class!

More on http://www.daily49er.com/vehicles_vanish_as_thefts_rise-1.1603684

Sorry, This Spot is Taken

Let's face it, parking is no easy task in this day and age, and this can be considered especially true if you happen to be a local student attending California State University, Long Beach (or as we more lovingly know it, CSULB). Day in and day out we face the perils that our parking structures have to offer, and feel the squeeze around our wallets every semester as an added bonus. Few students are left with choices when money is concern, and it is at this point that many resort to the only off-campus parking free of charge on Los Altos.

Unfortunately, according to a recent article in the Union Weekly, this might all quickly change thanks in part to Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell.

The idea is simple, to reduce the influx of students parking on Los Altos (and to reduce the amount of complaints received by residents of the area), Councilman O'Donnell has proposed that certain streets near CSULB become preferential parking zones. Residents of the area are being given the opportunity to voice their opinion through the mail, and CSULB is sweetening the deal by offering to meet the neighborhood half-way on the cost. No big deal, right? While residents of the Los Altos area will only need to pay about $16 per permit, we STILL have to pay $123 per semester.

Quite fair, wouldn't you agree?

Feel free to contact Pat O'Donnell at district4@longbeach.gov.

Read more in http://www.asicsulb.org/unionweekly/archives.html

CSULB Parking Wants Your Design Skills

Ever stop and look at the particular design your parking permit has? Chances are that you maybe glanced at it once, if at all, then slapped it on your car window in a fit of fury after handing over $246 of your hard earned money for it.

Well, in a combined effort with Associated Students, Inc., CSULB Parking & Transportation Services now wants your help in designing a parking permit worthy of your attention. All currently enrolled students are encouraged to participate in their Parking Permit Design Competition, in which the winner will have their artful design displayed on car windows all over campus for the next two semesters as well as a lovely cash prize (Which will probably go to funding your purchase of your next permit for next semester anyway.)

All entries must be submitted to the CSULB Parking Office, located conveniently on Lot 15, by no latter than noon on Friday, March 20, 2009.

For a complete list of rules and regulations, visit www.csulb.edu/asi

Mission Statement

With transportation becoming an increasingly difficult monster to tackle, especially in a smog haven like Los Angeles, it's hard to imagine what the average commuter deals with on a daily basis. One can only begin to imagine what migraine inducing situations befall those who brave L.A's infamous freeways and transit system (i.e. traffic, construction, grid lock, traffic, more construction, accidents, did I mention traffic?). Such are the perils and adventures for the average Los Angeles commuter, but try dealing with that as a college student! Long Beach State might be a scant distance away for those who live the dorm life, but try commuting to and from school day after day...

A 27 minute drive just became a half hour adventure through L.A's highways and byways...

Photo curtesy of http://laist.com/2007/12/08/for_whom_the_ro.php