23 Freeway gets bigger

Good news for Ventura County commuters. The widening of the 23 Freeway is done, and the grand opening is Thursday. According to the Acorn:

The $65-million project on State Route 23 between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Los Angeles Avenue in the cities of Thousand Oaks and Moorpark was completed 14 months ahead of schedule. These improvements will help to relieve congestion, improve mobility and enhance safety.

Meanwhile, Ventura County's transportation chief is talking about a possible tax hike to pay for more traffic improvements in the county. The Acorn reports:

[Darren] Kettle said he'd like to see a half-cent sales tax on the ballot by 2010. New to Ventura County, Kettle agreed to head the county transportation agency in October after having directed legislative affairs and freeway construction for the San Bernardino Associated Governments, a sister agency to the Ventura County Transportation Commission. The agencies set the policies, funding and priority for county transportation projects and services. Commissioners represent each county supervisor and cities within the county. Kettle is optimistic a sales tax measure to improve traffic in Ventura County can win voters' approval despite a failed attempt in 2004. Measure B, which would have provided funds for widening the 101, 118, 126 and 23 freeways, expanding commuter rail services and more, won only 42% of the vote, far short of the required 67% needed to pass. Kettle attributed the loss in part to proponents unveiling the measure five months before voters went to the polls.