Road Work Slows Traffic Until Mid-May on Highway 33 in Ojai
I’m Ed Smith, an Ojai personal injury lawyer. As residents of Ojai will recall, torrential rains in the month of February caused flooding and other problems along Highway 33 at Ojai and made everyone’s life difficult. The California Department of Transportation has been doing some road work along Highway 33.
Emergency Road Project to Repair Highway 33
With that in mind, Caltrans announced that an emergency project began on Monday, April 17, along Route 33 and for drivers to expect delays along the highway. The storms passing through weakened slopes along the sides of the road and require stabilization to help ensure safety for passing motorists. The aim of the project, costing about $2.7 million, is to remove loose debris, repair guardrails and shoulder backing and do cleaning and repair on the drainage system.
Expected Delays and Timeline for Road Project
Delays can be expected from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon every day except Sundays for the next several weeks. Crews are beginning the project on the north side of Ojai close to Matilija Hot Springs Road and will be working their way north. The cleanup and debris removal project is expected to end sometime around the middle of May. The Route 33 project is expected to go all the way to Corral Canyon Creek, which is a short distance south of Ventura’s county line with Santa Barbara. According to Caltrans, drivers can expect to be stopped while rocks and debris are removed from slopes.
Acting Responsibly When Driving Through a Work Zone
State and county agencies are responsible for providing safety for those passing through construction zones. In California, Caltrans offers tips to motorists to help keep them safe. Drivers also have the responsibility to drive with extra caution when passing through a work area. While most drivers are cautious and fatalities are now much lower than in previous years, 50 employees of Caltrans were killed by errant drivers in the years 1972 through 2016.
Things to Do in Road Work Areas
- Practice patience.
- Be alert and watch for the unexpected.
- Drive cautiously and watch out for workers in the area.
- Obey posted signs and obey speed limits.
- Stay off your cell phone while driving through a work zone.
- Use of headlights makes your vehicle more visible. Use them.
- Allow sufficient space between your vehicle and the one ahead and anticipate sudden stops.
- You may have to change lanes so be prepared to merge.
- Don’t change lanes without signaling, and don’t do it without reason.
- Use extra caution when driving through a work area after dark.
Attorney Ed Smith
Ojai Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Ojai personal injury lawyer. If you, or a loved one has suffered major injuries following an accident caused by road construction, please call me at (805) 372-0200 for free and friendly advice. The toll-free number is (800) 404-5400.
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Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/en/highway-jam-traffic-pkw-autos-1761825/
Source: http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/ojai/2017/04/15/delays-expected-highway-33-north-ojai/100495398/
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