CASITAS SPRINGS : Caltrans Decides Against Stoplights

Traffic conditions do not warrant construction of stoplights on California 33 in Casitas Springs, despite the constant line of vehicles that pass through on the busy highway, a Caltrans official said Tuesday.

A study conducted earlier this year has shown that although traffic is constant along the highway, volume on side streets throughout the town does not warrant the construction of lights at either end of the town of 1,000, Caltrans traffic engineer Robert Houle said.

The study also examined pedestrian volume on California 33, the danger posed to schoolchildren and other factors, Houle said.

None of these conditions were found to necessitate signals, Houle said.

The study of whether to put traffic signals at the north or south end of Nye Road was requested last year by the Highway 33 Improvement Committee, Houle said.

Members of the committee said Tuesday that they were frustrated that a signal was not approved, but vowed to carry on in their battle to curtail traffic on the busy thoroughfare connecting Ventura and Ojai.

Many Casitas Springs residents have driveways that open onto the highway, said committee secretary Ed Webster. “Traffic has just built up over the years to where people are afraid to have their kids cross the street or wait for the school bus on the street,” he said.

The committee’s hopes now rest on a Caltrans report due out in the next two months on a possible highway bypass around Casitas Springs, Webster said.

Houle says he sympathizes with the committee.

“If I were sitting in their place, I would probably have the same feelings. It’s a real problem out there,” he said.