Improvement project for Erbes Road
slowly makes progress
By Sophia Fischer
sfischer@theacorn.com

  Improving the heavily traveled Erbes Road in Thousand Oaks has been an ongoing proposition since the late 1970s. With the recent drafting of an environmental impact report (EIR), the project is taking a step closer to being realized.

The city is asking for public comments on the report, which is available at city hall or at the Thousand Oaks Library on Janss Road through May 28.

An informational meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thurs., May 5 in a board room at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. "The need for this project has always been there, but it hasn’t moved as quickly as it should," said Mike Tohidian, project manager.

The primary concern in the EIR is the removal of several large oak trees to accommodate the project, which includes widening the existing pavement, adding bike lanes and sidewalks, improving the Erbes Road/Hillcrest Drive intersection and constructing an equestrian crossing at Hauser Circle to connect east and west side trails. The entire project runs about 3,900 feet between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Falmouth Street.

The sidewalks and bike lanes are a safety issue, according to Tohidian. After riding in bike lanes on Erbes Road north of Falmouth, bikers suddenly must ride in the car lanes on Erbes south of Falmouth, creating a potential hazard. Pedestrians, including children walking to and from Hillcrest Christian School, Colina Middle School and Ascension Lutheran School, must walk along the road’s shoulder.

"A lot of kids are walking. Having no sidewalk is a safety concern," Tohidian said.

Some isolated sidewalks have been constructed over the years by property owners who were required by the city to do so as part of their own home-improvement projects. Owners had the alternate option of contributing cash toward the construction of sidewalks by the city whenever the project moves forward.

Several factors have held up the improvements, including resident opposition, right-of-way issues and the long-awaited expansion of the 23 Freeway.

Originally, the changes included expanding the portion of Erbes Road from Thousand Oaks Boulevard to Falmouth Street from the current two lanes to four lanes, two in each direction. Tohidian said opposition by residents resulted in the city council’s adopting a resolution in 1997 to retain that stretch of Erbes Road as one lane in each direction with a center left-turn lane. Instead of adding lanes, the project seeks make the entire stretch at least 58 feet wide. The road now varies from 50 to 87 feet wide.

Right-of-way issues come into play regarding adding sidewalks and widening the road. In some locations, according to Tohidian, the expansion will encroach on about 32 parcels of private property and will require property owners’ permission.

During rush hour Erbes Road has served drivers as an alternate route to the overcrowded 23 Freeway. Tohidian said that the city decided long ago that it would hold the Erbes project until the 23 was completed. No one anticipated the 23 project would be postponed as long as it has been, he added.

"Now it’s become more like maybe we can finish Erbes before the 23," Tohidian said. "The city is aware of the conflict and is trying to avoid both projects happening at the same time."

Once the EIR is completed, the city council must give it its blessing. After that comes the design phase, which will take about a year. Construction should then be completed in six to nine months, said Tohidian.

"It’s a very difficult project, that’s why it’s been on the books so long," Tohidian said. "The city is moving forward cautiously."

For more information, call (805) 449-2516.