Amigos 805
May 29th, 2025
by
VENTURA — Supervisor Kelly Long’s Office and the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project on Monday, June 2 at 12:00 p.m. The event will take place in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of El Rio, 2857 Cortez St., Oxnard.
The pedestrian improvements – which began in July 2024 — closes sidewalk gaps within the El Rio community, providing accessible pedestrian walkways along three residential roadways: Stroube Street, Walnut Drive and a portion of Cortez Street. Installing continuous sidewalks allows for safe and alternate modes of transportation for pedestrians to walk to schools, congregations, commercial businesses, and restaurants in the area.
The El Rio Pedestrian Improvements project addressed many concerns primarily related to accessible pedestrian walkways in the community and drainage issues in the area. Residents and students in the El Rio area had to walk on uneven surfaces along the roadway to get to businesses, schools, and other establishments. During heavy rain events, some of the roadways and intersections within the project area flooded, making pedestrian access much more difficult.
“New sidewalks promote a safe, healthy, and active transportation lifestyle for residents and students to access multiple businesses, schools, and other establishments in the El Rio area,” said Anitha Balan, Director of Roads & Transportation for VCPWA.
The project was funded by the Active Transportation Program (ATP) State Grant, the Assigned Bike Lane Projects Fund approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and the County Road Fund.
VCPWA looks forward to further improving the El Rio community with an upcoming pavement resurfacing project in late 2026 which will incorporate additional safety improvements in accordance with the approved County Active Transportation Plan.
To learn more about VCPWA, visit https://publicworks.venturacountv.gov/
About Ventura County Public Works Agency
The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) strives to deliver innovative, efficient and cost-effective regional services that are essential to the health, safety, natural resources protection, and economic vitality of Ventura County and its residents. Established in 1954, VCPWA employs more than 400 employees and consists of five departments: Central Services, Engineering Services, Road & Transportation, Watershed Protection, as well as Water and Sanitation.
VCPWA continues to receive nationwide attention for its work in improving, innovating, and ensuring projects for Ventura County’s unincorporated roads, watersheds, levees, bridges, infrastructures, water and sanitation facilities.
