Communities should share in Kanan costs

I would like to respond to a letter in the Jan. 13, Acorn concerning the Kanan Road interchange. I can understand the frustration of residents who have waited for a long time for this project, but there have been no delays caused by our city or our state or federal elected representatives. Our Assembly member, Fran Pavley, State Senator Sheila Kuehl, Congressmen Waxman, Sherman and Gallegly, and our Senators Boxer and Feinstein and all five city council members have all been solidly behind this project. There has never been any "political gridlock" on this issue from our elected officials.

The cause of delay, other than current rains, was a CalTrans decision rejecting a plan they had previously approved, forcing the city to submit a new plan—similar to one that had been rejected, by the way— and then taking another two years to approve the new plan. Our city was given assurances that the new plan would be handled expeditiously, but in fact, it had to go through the same lengthy two year regulatory process as the first plan. I have personally met with the district director of the State Department of Transportation accompanied by a representative from Assembly Member Pavley’s office to urge him to speed up the process as much as possible. Our city manager and city staff have had several meetings with CalTrans to expedite the project.

Contrary to the assumption in the letter, the project is already underway and is not being held up for lack of funds. Re-routing Canwood Street was the first phase of the project and it has now been completed. This was paid for almost entirely by traffic mitigation required from the Oak Creek Apartments project. The second phase involves moving numerous utilities that are in the project right of way. This phase has already begun, held up only by the rainfall of the last few weeks. The final phase, building new on and off ramps should be underway this summer and take 12 months to complete.

There was no delay in initiating eminent domain proceedings. The city could not legally begin eminent domain without "certification" of the right-of-way from CalTrans. This was only recently received and the city acted promptly to secure the needed land. In fact, some of the property was acquired from the Snyder Company months ago without even a need for condemnation.

Our city did an extraordinary job of accumulating the money needed to complete the Kanan project. Here is approximately where the money is coming from:

•$10.5 million from the MTA

•$3 million in general fund reserves set aside specifically for the interchange

•$3 million in Transportation Improvement Fees from development within the city

•$6 million from Snyder’s Oak Creek apartments project

•$2.5 million from the city’s general fund.

Our reason for seeking additional funding is one of fundamental fairness to our citizens. This project comes at a considerable cost to other city needs. The 101 is a federal highway and Kanan is a major regional connector. We should have more help in footing the bill. To their credit, all of our elected officials and many elected officials in neighboring jurisdictions have supported our request for additional funding.

When completed, the interchange will provide a major improvement in traffic circulation for tens of thousands of people.

Ed Corridori

Agoura Hills City Council