What's the worst intersection in Santa Clarita?

We all have those special intersections in Santa Clarita we try to avoid at rush hour and other times. The intersections either have lights that take a long time to cycle, are difficult to traverse and navigate, or, as is the case with my least favorite intersection, are full out of out-of-towners who have no clue where they are going.

I've selected a couple of the more irritating intersections in the Valley; let's see what you think!

The Five Worst SCV Intersections

Lyons Ave/5 Freeway: Traversing this intersection anytime during daylight hours is like riding the bumper cars at Magic Mountain. Heading east-bound on Lyons in the center lane, one has to watch for the out-of-towners exiting the 5 Freeway on their way to eating at Wendy's or visiting the 76 Station. Often times, these drivers conveniently ignore what the white-dashed line on a modern street signifies; they'll simply perform a mega-merge across all of Lyons avenue, then leave half of the car's rear end hanging out in the number 1 lane on Lyons, forcing everyone behind them to slam on their brakes or swerve to the right, towards the out-of-towners. When you make it past the off ramp, you'll often have to dodge the cars turning left onto west-bound Lyons out of Chevron, Vincenzos or Burger King! It's a game of Pong with SUVs, buses and hungry travelers!
The Old Road between Lyons & McBean Stevenson Ranch Pkwy: Okay, so it's not technically an intersection, rather it's one long asphalt nightmare. Thankfully, the County or developer has added lights along this stretch of mayhem, so it has improved, but not that much! Not only does one have to deal with the thousands of cars entering and exiting the ocean-like parking lot in front of WalMart & Co, but people tend to speed on this road. I avoid it whenever possible; I'd rather take my chances on the 5. On a bicycle. In rain. With a flat tire. Blind & deaf.
Rye Canyon/Ave. Stanford: The pain! Approaching this intersection within 5 minutes of 5pm on a weekday requires the patience of a saint or the agression of a tyrant. "Built as promised by Newhall Land" without sidewalks or dedicated right-turn lanes!
Soledad/Bouquet: This light has improved in the last few years, but one's anxiety can't help but rise as you approach it. It's difficult to exit the PC Club/Del Taco shopping center unless you are heading east on Soledad. Turning left from Soledad into the strip mall just north of Soledad is a physics exercise in which you must adequately judge the speed of three lanes of on-coming traffic. Most of all, it just takes a long time to traverse this intersection.
Various Parking Lot Intersections in Shopping Centers: I'm looking at you Pavilion's/Elephant Bar/Olive Garden. It's a joy to deal with shoppers backing out of their parking spaces while motioning for the person opposite of you at the 4 way stop sign. It's fun to play chicken with exiting cars after turning left into the shopping center from McBean. And just when you think you've escaped the powerful grasp of Home Goods, you realize you'll have to dodge eager drivers hunting for a spot to park.

Don't get me wrong. A lot of SCV residents complain about traffic. After working on the West Side of Los Angeles for two years, we don't have much to complain about. Nevertheless, these are the areas I complain about!

So what do you think?

Comments (3)

SCV AnonymousMay 20 at 1:40 AM PT
I'm surprised at the lack of votes! From reading the Signal's editorial pages, one would think everyone is upset about traffic and intersections!
BillAugust 22 at 4:08 PM PT
Ok, I cant say your wrong about any of thoes intersections. They all SUCK. But here is my problem, we have so many MORE how do you pick JUST ONE!!!??????? Perhaps thats why no one responded, they are still reviewing the list!
PatrickSmithSeptember 24 at 5:25 AM PT
Personally, I have found, that McBean Pkwy, and the entire area before, between, and after, Magic Mountain Pkwy, and Valencia Blvd are the worst intersections to travel through anytime other than between midnight, and 4 am. My wife has on numerous occasions mentioned to me that it is a nightmare there. I have never disagreed! It's busy in the morning, at lunch, and around 3-9pm as if a countywide evacuation order had been given. Where are all these people going? And better yet......Where are they all coming from?