CHP, Caltrans Snafu Causes Traffic Jam

A colossal mistake by Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol inconvenienced thousands of Ventura County commuters who take California 118.

A weeklong bridge repair project that began Friday near Somis was supposed to divert commuter traffic in a loop formed by Bradley and Balcom Canyon roads. But at the last minute, plans changed and the CHP diverted eastbound traffic down Somis Road to the Ventura Freeway. Traffic heading west on California 118 was turned around at Tierra Rejada Road and instructed to go back along California 23 south to the Ventura Freeway.

This rerouting caused traffic jams on every county freeway, especially California 23, where traffic is normally heavy during morning rush hour. About 25,000 vehicles a day travel along California 118, with about 20% of the traffic composed of trucks. Some residents in the area said traffic was practically at a standstill at some points.

Teri Hickey, 45, lives on Sand Canyon Road in Somis and said she skipped the errands she needed to do in Moorpark because of the time it would take to make the trip. “It’s just not worth it for me to take an extra half hour or 45 minutes just to get to Moorpark,” she said from her home Friday.

The Highway Patrol said a communications breakdown with Caltrans caused the agency to put out incorrect information about the detour. Caltrans is spending about $1 million to replace Long Canyon Creek Bridge, which was heavily damaged by rains in past years.

Commuters will be forced to use California 23, the Ventura Freeway, Lewis Road and Santa Rosa Road until Oct. 13, when the project is expected to be finished.

“I feel badly if people weren’t notified of the changes,” said Margie Tiritilli, a Caltrans spokeswoman.