Congressman updated on Kanan interchange

U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, whose 30th Congressional District includes Calabasas, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills, flew here from Washington, D.C. on Monday to discuss the progress of the U.S. 101 Freeway/Kanan Interchange project.

Agoura Hills Mayor Ed Corridori introduced guests, including 41st District Assemblymember Fran Pavley, Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, and a representative from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer’s office. Sheriff’s deputies and city officials also were on hand.

“I’m proud to be part of the team effort that will see this interchange finally take life,” Waxman said.

Federal, state and local governments worked together to secure funds for the project, Waxman said.

The interchange improvement is estimated to cost $25 million. The city received a $10.5 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and was appropriated $4 million under the Transportation Equity Act, a federal program.

The remaining $10.5 million will come from the city’s general fund, developer fees and gas tax funds.

“I’m here to make sure it really happens,” said Pavley, who has lived in Agoura Hills for 30 years and was the first mayor of Agoura Hills.

“It’s been a work in progress for so many years,” Pavley said, adding that the city had to create a plan for improvements to the interchange “from scratch.”

Corridori thanked Barbara Boxer for keeping the allocation alive in the federal budget. He recognized Jim Thorsen, assistant city manager, for working with CalTrans, noting that he had to secure approvals from 27 departments at CalTrans.

Parks noted that the citizens of Oak Park will benefit from the improvements, and added that “the city of Malibu should be here, too.”

The Kanan Interchange project will reduce traffic congestion, improve access along the freeway corridor and increase vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle safety, officials said.

The main phase of the project is expected to begin over the next few months and will take one year to complete.

Corridori presented Waxman a plaque in appreciation of his tireless efforts to obtain federal funding for the project.