No traffic jams on Alameda Corridor

Remember when they said the Alameda Corridor would transform port traffic and ease truck congestion and pollution? Well, Progressive Railroading reports traffic on the rail corridor is not great:

The tail end of the fall peak didn't help drive up train traffic on California's Alameda Corridor in November. Only 1,356 trains used the key 20-mile intermodal route between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and downtown L.A. — the lowest monthly total so far in 2007 and lowest November level since 2003, the corridor's first full year of operation, when the route registered 1,243 trains. The previous low in 2007, 1,442 trains, occurred in February, according to Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority data. The last time traffic yielded a lower mark than November's: February 2005, when 1,322 trains used the corridor. The route averaged 45.2 trains per day in November compared with October's 48.4, September's 49.1, August's 49.0, July's 50.2, June's 51.3 and May's 50.6 average.

Traffic Brigade heads to local malls

The city is making shopping a bit easier. Well, a bit might be too much. Officials are bringing the Traffic Relief Brigade to local malls:

Drivers heading to 43 intersections near malls and shopping centers can expect some relief -- beginning today -- thanks to the deployment of 70 traffic control officers, Los Angeles officials announced. The Holiday Shopping Traffic Relief Brigade will be on the streets from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Dec. 24. "From Crenshaw to right here at Hollywood and Highland, we want our residents to spend more time inside stores instead of stuck in traffic around the stores," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The traffic officers will be at intersections around The Grove, Hollywood & Highland, the Westside Pavillion, the Sherman Oaks Galleria, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Northridge Fashion Center, and the Toy, Fashion and Jewelry districts in downtown Los Angeles. Officers will also be on Melrose Avenue between Highland Avenue and Gardner Street; at Larchmont and Beverly boulevards; and at Westwood and Wilshire boulevards. The Westfield Corp. donated $75,000 to the city to pay for the officers. (CNS)