OJAI : 2 Crosswalks to Get Warning Beacons
With a nudge from state legislators, the California Department of Transportation has agreed to install flashing warning lights on California 33 near crosswalks used by students at Nordhoff High School.
A 14-year-old boy was killed when he was hit by a car in one of the crosswalks four years ago and a 16-year-old girl was critically injured there in October.
After the second accident, neighbors and employees of the nearby Ojai Valley Community Hospital petitioned city officials to get something done. They won the backing of the City Council, county supervisors, state Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley). Both lawmakers wrote Caltrans urging action.
“It appears the city’s efforts, along with support from the Highway 33 Committee and our state elected representatives, have convinced Caltrans,” City Manager Andy Belknap said in a written report that was to be delivered to the council Tuesday night.
The lights will be mounted on 16-foot-long arms that extend from two poles. One will be installed north of Church Road, another south of the Valle Rio Street intersection with California 33. The estimated cost is $18,000.
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