Community Feedback Helps Ventura County Public Works Agency Receive First Statewide Grant for Pedestrian Improvement Project

VCPWA receives over six million dollars in state funding for the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School Project

(VENTURA COUNTY, Calif.)– Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Roads & Transportation (VCPWA-RT) announced today the adoption of its first ever Active Transportation Project (ATP) statewide grant totaling $6,195,000 for its El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School Project. ATP funds support active transportation projects including pedestrian, bikes and transit. 

Funding allocation for design of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School project is expected in 2022, with construction planned for 2024. The project’s safety improvements include construction of 2.15 miles of sidewalks on both sides of Stroube, Walnut and Cortez Streets respectively, traffic-calming curb extensions, water-retention areas, rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB), and crosswalk improvements.

Last July, VCPWA-RT enlisted support from El Rio residents through a Touchless Survey campaign, generated by Consortium Media which was geared towards acquiring important community feedback about which projects would be most beneficial for the community. With the outpouring of community support, VCPWA-RT was able to secure the historic statewide grant to ensure the safety of El Rio residents. 

 “We are incredibly grateful not only to our team at VCPWA for their tireless work towards securing these important funds, but for our local community whose devotion to the safety of their neighbors who filled out our survey and provided important feedback to help make these projects possible,” said David Fleisch, Director of Roads & Transportation.