Traffic Light Near New School OKd

Though months behind schedule, Walnut Canyon School could open in early February because of the latest deal between the city and Caltrans to place a traffic signal at a nearby intersection.

Moorpark Unified School District officials say a blind corner near the intersection of Casey Road and Walnut Canyon Road requires a traffic light to ensure student safety.

When the Moorpark school district began working with the California Department of Transportation in earnest on the project in April, it learned the state agency typically takes two years to complete similar projects.

“We had never worked with Caltrans before, and we didn’t realize they would normally have a two-year lead time,” said school board member David Pollock.

Construction of the school, originally slated to open in September, has been fraught with delays because of heavy rains, a general contractor and architect who couldn’t agree on plans and an extended hunt for an elusive fault line beneath the school that turned out not to exist.

Now, school officials have reached an agreement with Caltrans and the city to begin construction on the light in late January, just before school opens for second semester Feb. 2. Construction will take six weeks.

Until the signal is finished, the district will control the intersection, possibly with cones, stop signs and crossing guards, Pollock said.

The school district will initially pay $370,000 for the traffic signal and handle the acquisition of property to expand the intersection, according to Supt. Thomas Duffy. In return, he said, Caltrans will move the project up on its priority list.

Caltrans will eventually reimburse the district for 50% of the traffic light’s cost, he said.