City to Proceed With Sound Wall

Thousand Oaks leaders will proceed with a sound wall project on the Moorpark Freeway, despite learning that Caltrans could take 30 years to reimburse the city for the work.

In March the council agreed to pay the approximate $600,000 cost to build a 2,000-foot sound wall near the area where the Moorpark Freeway curves over Paige Lane. Traffic noise from the freeway has plagued residents in the Conejo Oaks neighborhood for more than 20 years. The money will come from a $890,000 account set aside for noise abatement.

But council members had hoped the state Department of Transportation would eventually pay the city back. Caltrans engineer Stephen Pang broke the news to council members late Tuesday that the Conejo Oaks project is an extremely low priority for the agency.

“Let’s cut to the chase here,” Councilman Andy Fox said. “If the city meets all of Caltrans’ requirements, will we be reimbursed?”

“Yes,” Pang said. “But not for 30 years.”

City Manager Grant Brimhall asked if Caltrans would pay interest on the $600,000.

“No, I’m sorry,” Pang said sheepishly.

Brimhall commented that the city would probably get about 5 cents to the dollar back after inflation without interest.

The council voted 4 to 0, with Councilwoman Elois Zeanah absent, to hire a consultant and proceed with the project without Caltrans’ financial assistance. Pang said he will help speed permits through the Caltrans system so construction on the wall can begin early next year. Caltrans owns the right of way next to the freeway.