Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday introduced a new program to reduce traffic congestion and repair streets in heavily traveled areas of the city. “Operation Smooth Ride” will target pothole-laden streets that slow traffic and increase commute times. It calls for the departments of Public Works and Transportation to work together to identify and fix cracks, holes and other problems on major transportation corridors. The city is initially planning fixes at 25 locations citywide, including five in the Valley: Ventura Boulevard and Woodley Avenue, and Burbank Boulevard and Balboa Boulevard in Encino; Glenoaks Boulevard and Sheldon Street, and Glenoaks Boulevard and Tuxford Street in Sun Valley; and Burbank Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys.
