Caltrans/Calabasas benefit when contract comes in under budget

Caltrans is often perceived as one of the most wantonly wasteful governmental agencies in the state, but just occasionally it comes in under budget.

Such is the case in a 1997 contract between Caltrans and the city of Calabasas to install traffic signals and safety lighting at the Lost Hills Road northbound 101 freeway on/off-ramps.

The agreement called for the city and Caltrans to split the costs down the middle, each footing 50 percent of the projected $123,000 cost.

The project was completed in the last quarter of 1999, and according to a city staff report, "the signalization has improved traffic flow and safety at this intersection."

However, when the invoice came from Caltrans this year, the bill was almost $4,000 less than expected. The Calabasas City Council approved the payment at its Aug. 1 meeting amid various other consent items.

–– Gregory Koteles