Can West Valley handle it?

The shopping will be great. But how about the traffic? That's the question being asked as officials begin debating a plan for a mega-mall in Woodland Hills. The Times' Amanda Covarrubias says the combined Topanga mall will have 3.8 million square feet of retail, office and residential space:

"Critics will say, 'Traffic, traffic, traffic,' and I admit we need to address the issue," [Councilman Dennis] Zine said. "One of the major challenges is how we'll accommodate additional traffic volume." The new mall would include 4,100 parking spaces, but Westfield officials have not decided how they will connect the three malls so shoppers don't have to get in their car each time they want to go to a different mall. Preliminary plans call for the construction of pedestrian bridges to connect the three sites. The Westfield shopping hub is bounded by Vanowen Street on the north, Topanga Canyon Boulevard on the west, Oxnard Street to the south and Owensmouth Avenue to the east.

Comments

[Peggy LaBelle]

I am deeply concerned about the new mega malls and all the condos and apartments that are being built at this moment on Desoto Ave., Erwin Street, Canoga Avenue and surrounding areas. Topanga Canyon Blvd. is impassable now at certain times, and Desoto impossible during rush hour. Driving North on DeSoto and Victory is backed up as is Canoga Avenue, and that is without the plans for the new hotel, 300 more condos and apartments and the new shopping centers. I live in the heart of it all. Moved here six years ago, and never dreamed this nightmare would occur. Someone please tell me and my neighbors how all this new buildiing will not have a negative impact in our community with traffic. The freeways are already stopped when you get on at DeSoto heading east.
Would like to have an email response.
Thanks,
Peggy