Signs O' The Times: Carbon Canyon Road/State Route 142 Littered With New Signs

This is not to unduly criticize CalTrans District 8 and their efforts to do what it can to mitigate traffic problems on State Route 142, otherwise known as Carbon Canyon Road.  It is well understood that there is only so much that can be done in the face of a significant degree (heard and seen for more than twenty years from this blogger's vantage point above what can often be called Carbon Canyon Speedway) of dangerous driving.

It is strange, though, that the highway was once considered a prime candidate for designation as a California scenic route as it wends its way through Carbon Canyon and vicinity in Brea and Chino Hills because, increasingly, CalTrans has added more guardrails and, especially, signs in an attempt (fruitless and futile, as it may actually be) to do something to mitigate driver behavior in the Canyon.

Perhaps the number of signs here on Carbon Canyon Road at the summit in Chino Hills is a tad excessive?

Most recently, towards the end of 2024, a great many signs were placed along the road and, mirroring what seems to be a general trend noticed elsewhere on freeways and off-ramps and on-ramps, the tendency in thinking seems to be that relentless repetition is a surefire reminder to derelict drivers to mind their Ps and Qs.  So, for example, on the 60 Freeway in City of Industry, there are a row of signs placed close together warning of  "Soft Shoulder," while the southbound 57 Freeway at Lambert Road in Brea has had a similar abundance of signs for drivers approaching the intersection of what to do.

The latest additions on Carbon Canyon Road have mainly consisted of plentiful helpings of two-faced (no insult intended) arrow signs on or near curves to let drivers know that the highway changes direction into and out of curves, when a sign or two, not to mention those helpful double yellow centerlines that follow the changing path, seem to be plenty.  On the eastbound side approaching the summit, there is a flashing light and speed indicator, to boot, though one wonders if these would be better on straightaways or sections with a decline.

This crash took place just a day or two after these "two-faced" signs were installed, so how effective are these really?

Yet, literally within a day or two of some of these new signs being placed at the summit and despite that helpful speed indicator, drivers plowed into a guardrail in the summit area, while around that time, other sections of rail were mowed down in that area and a property owner who has long had damage to rather ornate wall and fencing had some major damage done in the driveway.  If this surfeit of signs was supposed to deter more accidents, it would appear that this is not the case.

Notably, on the Brea side, which is another CalTrans district, this being #12, this approach of stuffing signage along the route was not adopted and, predictably, a regular run of skid-marks, damaged fencing, scattered dirt and rocks from hammered hillsides and the leavings of fenders and assorted car pieces continues much as before.

Um . . . is it 25 mph or 35 mph?

Lastly, and this post was delayed a few months to see if it would be noticed and changed, there is a bit of contradictory warnings about the suggested speed as westbound drivers head into the first set of curves of Sleepy Hollow.  What once seemed like one of the largest signs around, on the north (right) side was replaced with a smaller one (wonder why exactly?) that continues the recommendation, highly honored in the breach, of 25 mph, but, just a short distance away on the south (left) side of the highway has the suggestion of 35 mph—not to mention that the indicator of the shape of the highway is also variable.  Which is it?

Again, it is fully appreciated that CalTrans has limits on what it can do to promote traffic safety on State Route 142.  The use of taxpayer dollars, however, on this recent spate of signage, the efficacy of which seems questionable, is compounded by the regular repairs that have to be made because of damaged caused by errant drivers who are essentially granted impunity by the near complete absence of patrolling.   A reasonable physical presence, even in fairly infrequent, but well-timed, occurrences would, it seems, go much father in efficiency and results than mere signs.

Tres Hermanos Ranch History Talk at Brea Historical Society Next Wednesday the 16th

For those who have not heard presentations on the history of Tres Hermanos Ranch, the next of these will take place next Wednesday, 16 April at 6:30 p.m. as part of the annual meeting of the Brea Historical Society.

The talk will include the area's use as public lands under Spain and México, its inclusion as part of the Rancho Los Nogales, and its acquisition by the "three brothers," William R. Rowland, William B. Scott and Harry Chandler, who ran cattle on the 2,500-acre property and built a Spanish-style ranch house that survived until the early 2000s.

Now, the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority, comprised of owner, the City of Industry, and the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, in which the ranch is located, manages the land and has recently been offering public tours.  The next of these have not yet been announced, but it appears that there will be offerings at least twice a year, if not more.

In the meantime, join us at the Brea Historical Museum at City Hall Park, 495 S. Brea Boulevard.  Seating is limited, so you can RSVP by sending an email to info@breamuseum.org.