Freeway signs to help motorists

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recently extended its program to provide estimated travel times on electronic overhead freeway message signs to Ventura County. The system went into effect on June 2.

The two signs will be on the 101/Ventura Freeway, northbound at Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village and southbound at Ventu Park Road in Newbury Park. The northbound sign will post estimated travel time to Lewis Road (state Highway 34). The southbound sign will post estimated travel time to the 405 Freeway.

Although the travel times are based on real-time information gathered from sensors embedded in the roadway, Caltrans notes that actual traffic conditions can change quickly.

A major incident, Sig-Alert or child abduction Amber Alert will supersede the estimated travel time displays.

A traffic accident could affect traffic before the message signs could be updated.