Public works’ projects OK’d in Agoura Hills

After law enforcement, the biggest expense in Agoura Hills in FY 2003 will be public works.

The $2.47 million public works budget, which is only slightly less than the $2.49 million budgeted for public safety, will include five major projects in the coming months.

Final design on the Kanan Road/101 Freeway interchange improvement will begin later this year with construction set for the winter of 2003.

The cost of the new loop ramps and traffic signals will be an estimated $21 million with nearly half of the funds coming from a Metropolitan Transit Authority grant.

The city also will begin design work later this year on the second phase of the Agoura Road bicycle lane project. The improvements call for wider bike lanes along Agoura Road from Kanan to the westerly city boundary. More than 90 percent of the $770,000 cost will come from state and federal grants.

Bike lanes will be built next spring and summer.

Other road improvement work will include new pavement on streets. A $410,000 asphalt overlay job will begin this fall on selected roadways.

Agoura Hills recently completed the installation of red and green LEDs (light emitting diodes) inside city-owned traffic lights. The new bulbs are brighter than incandescent bulbs and reportedly save 90 percent on energy costs.

New swings are being installed at Chumash Park. The city council this year budgeted $20,000 for the park improvements.

––John Loesing