City to Seek Funds to Pay for Curb Cuts

City Council members have decided to ask the Ventura County Transportation Commission for nearly $20,000 to help the city pay for curb cuts to accommodate wheelchairs at intersections around town.

If successful, Simi Valley would match the grant with nearly $24,000 in municipal spending to enhance 48 curbs at 23 intersections in residential neighborhoods. The money comes from a statewide program to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Councilwoman Barbra Williamson said Tuesday that it is likely the city’s application will be successful.

“You never know until you try,” she said. “Our track record is pretty good.”

Williamson said the city is ahead of the game when it comes to accommodating those with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

“We have to have so many things done by a certain date and, yes, we are ahead of the curve,” she said.

In past years, money from this state program has gone to expand bicycle and pedestrian paths around the city.

Bill Golubics, a city traffic engineer, said the only major bike path project yet to be built--which would expand a path between the Metrolink station on Los Angeles Avenue and Kuehner Drive--is held up because the city is expanding flood channels and rerouting water runoff.

Until that is completed, the city can’t move forward with the bike path expansion, he said.