CAUTION : It’s a Long Day’s Drive at the End of the Grade

Motorists on the Ventura Freeway may feel as if they’re maneuvering through an obstacle course when they reach the base of the Conejo grade, where a $24-million widening and realignment project is in its final stage.

Caltrans says relief is about a year away for motorists who struggle through the highway construction of U. S. 101 between Camarillo and Thousand Oaks.

“We’re progressing as rapidly as possible,” said Robert Joe, Caltrans’ senior construction engineer who is supervising the six-year job of rebuilding the road and adding a third lane.

“We’re as anxious to get the job done as the motorists are.”

The final phase, which began last year and is scheduled to be completed in late 1987, stretches from about one mile west of Camarillo to the Wendy Drive off-ramp in Thousand Oaks.

According to the California Highway Patrol, no increase in accidents has occurred in the Conejo grade area, despite the confusion surrounding freeway construction. An average of two accidents a day is reported in the area, said Claude Ball, CHP dispatcher.

Joe said that work on the freeway has extended the rush-hour commute a little.

“Motorists in the morning are probably spending not over a 10-minute delay,” Joe said. “In the evening, it’s probably a little more of a delay coming west.”