Hearing Scheduled on 2 Road Projects

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday on two disputed road projects proposed for the Las Posas Valley.

An April 13 hearing, attended by about 100 residents, was postponed because the board did not have a quorum.

After listening to residents, supervisors on Tuesday are expected to decide whether to support the two improvement projects along a stretch of California 118.

County planners, who determined that the projects are consistent with the General Plan and the recent voter-approved SOAR growth-control measure, have recommended that supervisors support the Caltrans proposal.

One road project would widen and straighten the Mesa School S-curve, midway between Somis and Saticoy. Over the past nine years more than 600 accidents have occurred in that area, resulting in 20 deaths.

The other project would widen the intersection of California 34 and Donlon Road. County staff members also support a Caltrans plan to study the installation of a roundabout, or traffic circle, at the busy intersection.

Residents fear that the projects, scheduled to break ground in fall 2001, are the beginning of a larger $11.8-million plan to widen a 16-mile strip of the highway.

Two weeks ago, they brought a petition signed by more than 800 people opposed to the projects to present to the board. Those residents are seeking a bypass road to reduce commuter traffic in Somis.

The bypass would reroute California 34 to avoid Somis altogether before connecting to California 118.

The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., in Ventura.